DOHA: World Cup holders France have landed in Qatar in their bid to become the first country to retain their crown since Brazil in 1962. Ten members of the 2018 title-winning squad return, including captain Hugo Lloris, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

Les Bleus, grouped with Australia, Denmark and Tunisia, are without first-choice midfield pair Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante. Ballon d’Or winner 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.

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani has been called up as a late replacement for RB Leipzig’s injured Christopher Nkunku.

The forward was ruled out of the tournament after leaving Tuesday’s training session early with a left knee injury. A video circulating on social media showed Nkunku clash with teammate Eduardo Camavinga.

Muani, 23, has made 23 appearances for Frankfurt in all competitions this season, scoring eight goals and recording 11 assists. He made his first two senior appearances for France in September’s Nations League games against Austria and Denmark.

Skipper Hugo Lloris has confirmed that he will not join other European national team captains in wearing an anti-discrimination armband during the World Cup in Qatar.

He said: “I have been quite clear about this and I don’t want to add anything else.” Lloris said he wanted to “show respect” to host nation Qatar. He added: “When we welcome foreign visitors to France we often would like them to respect our rules and our culture. I will do the same when I go to Qatar.”

His comments echoed those made by French Football Federation President Noel Le Graet, who has opposed the initiative.

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