KARIM BENZEMA is absent from the France squad competing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Ballon d’Or winner was tipped to be one of the players of the tournament during the World Cup.
However, he will not be handed the chance to impress for the World Champions, who face Denmark on the second matchday of the group stages.
And it is a blow for Didier Deschamps’ side, with the forward being their top scorer in 2014 before missing the 2018 tournament.
Why is Benzema not playing for France at the World Cup?
Benzema was ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an injury in training, handing France a blow after Christopher Nkunku suffered the same fate.
The Real Madrid star suffered an injury to his left thigh during training in Doha, with the French federation confirming he will not feature in Qatar.
After undergoing an MRI scan it was confirmed that he had a muscular tear that would require at least three weeks of recovery, ruling him out of the World Cup.
France have opted to not call-up a replacement for Benzema and will instead make use of a 25-man squad for the tournament.
