2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema will miss France’s first match at the World Cup in Qatar after picking up an injury during training on Saturday.

Karim Benzema is injured and will not play in France’s match against Australia

Benzema was part of the “titled” team in a match between French football players. The perpetrator will undergo a medical examination to establish a diagnosis. It is believed to be a muscle injury and he could miss the entire final tournament.

The forward has been suffering from a pain in his left thigh since mid-October, and after arriving in Qatar, he has been training with Raphael Varane. Benzema briefly resumed training with the French national team.

If Benzema is unable to play at the 2022 World Cup, coach Didier Deschamps has until Monday to find a replacement. France will face Australia in the first match in Qatar.

The composition of the French national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Rennes)

Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Bayern), Theo Hernandez (Milan), Axel Dizazy (Monaco), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kunde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real), Yussuf Fofana (Monaco), Matteo Genduzi (Omega), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Chuameni (Real), Jordan Vereto (Omega)

attackers: Karim Benzema (Real), Kingsley Coman (Bayern), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Kolo Mouani (Frankfurt).