DPA/Agencies
PARIS
France coach Didier Deschamps included Raphael Varane in his World Cup squad on Wednesday despite the defender’s recent injury problems, while in-form striker Olivier Giroud was alsonamed in France’s provisional squad for the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Deschamps selected 25 of a possible 26 players for the tournament in Qatar, where France will attempt to become the first team to defend their World Cup title since Brazil in 1962.
“To be completely honest, this was not the easiest list to make. It’s the same for other coaches. Players recovering from injury, some who got injured recently, others who could still make it,” Deschamps told broadcasters TF1.
Eleven members of the 2018 title-winning squad return, including captain Hugo Lloris and reserve goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, along with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.
Experienced striker Giroud has been recalled in March after a nine-month gap following the team’s early Euro 2021 exit. He’s shown good form for AC Milan and France and is two goals shy of Thierry Henry’s all-time national scoring record of 51 goals.
“He knows where he stands. He knows what my position is. It’s better for the French team that he is with us,” said Deschamps, who will have to trim his squad to 23 by Monday (November 14).
Karim Benzema, who has missed a series of games for Real Madrid this season because of injury, is set for his first World Cup appearance since 2014.
Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Presnel Kimpembe was picked despite thigh and Achilles problems that have limited him to five appearances since the start of September.
With Paul Pogba and Ngolo Kante injured and ruled out of the tournament ahead of the squad announcement, Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot and Eduardo Camavinga were among the six midfielders named. France are in Group D along with Australia, Denmark and Tunisia. They play Australia in the first clash on Nov. 22 at the Al Janoub Stadium.
