(Football news) Defending champions France are going into the World Cup without some of their stalwarts. N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba have been injured for a while. Presnel Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku were ruled out of the tournament just days after the French camp started. The most recent and possibly the biggest blow is that Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup. Didier Deschamps has decided not to call a replacement for the striker. He will have to rely on Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Kingsley Coman, Marcus Thuram, Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele in the attacking side. The good news is that Deschamps has confirmed that Raphael Varane is fully fit and ready to play against Australia. 

For France the news of Benzema's absence is truly damaging. The partnership between him and Mbappe was the one which was France's strongest asset. Olivier Giroud isn't a bad replacement to have but he isn't Karim Benzema. The link up play that Benzema offers is something Giroud will not be able to replicate. Deschamps might be tempted to go with Mbappe, Griezmann and Dembele up front with an extra man in midfield or defense. Having said that, playing a half fit Benzema is something that could have cost the French team and the player himself as the tournament progressed. But the fact that no replacement has been named is strange because if they didn't want to bring anyone in they could've kept Benzema for just his presence in the dressing room. 

For Benzema himself the news will be heartbreaking. Back in 2014 Benzema had a really good World Cup as France reached the quarter finals. After that he was banned from the national team for non footballing reasons. After being exiled from the national team during his prime years and watching them win a World Cup without him, Benzema came back to the set-up for the Euros. He had an amazing tournament but France were knocked out in the Round of 16. Benzema is already 34 and it will be difficult for him to play in the next World Cup. After a dream season last year where he won all sorts of collective and individual trophies, Benzema has been troubled by injuries. Real Madrid and Benzema will be hoping that he comes back to his best when the season restarts.

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