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Didier Deschamps has been dealt yet another blow to his World Cup preparations with Real Madrid star Karim Benzema set to miss the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The announcement comes just three days before France's tournament opener against Australia on Wednesday at 6am (AEDT).
The 34-year-old has played only half of Real Madrid's matches to start the La Liga season, having struggled with a thigh problem since October. Benzema re-triggered the injury at the end of a French session this morning (AEDT), according to French reports.
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"Benzema injured his thigh towards the end of France’s training session tonight," ESPN's Julien Laurens said.
"He is doing scans now but he is already out for the Australia game on Tuesday. He could also be out for the whole World Cup."
The injury creates another selection headache for Deschamps, who is already without RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku, goalkeeper Mike Maignan of AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe, Aston Villa duo Lucas Digne and Boubacar Kamara, and star midfielders Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante from injury.
There are also concerns over the fitness of Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, who was substituted off in a mid-October Premier League match against Chelsea after suffering a muscular injury.
Under FIFA rules, Deschamps will have up until 24 hours before the Socceroos clash to choose an injury replacement for Benzema, while Graham Arnold is also set to make a difficult eleventh-hour call on whether Martin Boyle remains in the Socceroos' 26-man squad ahead of potential replacement Marco Tillio, amid fitness concerns.
How to watch Socceroos v France LIVE and FREE on SBS
Wednesday, November 23
Group D - France v Australia
5:00am - 8:30am (AEDT) - kickoff at 06.00am
LIVE on SBS and SBS On Demand
