Defending champion France arrives in Qatar for World Cup

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Damage-hit France arrived in Qatar on Wednesday to start the protection of its World Cup title, with coach Didier Deschamps main the squad off the airplane after it landed.The squad was to participate in stretching workouts earlier than having dinner.Ahead Randal Kolo Muani, who was known as up on Wednesday morning to switch the injured Christopher Nkunku, was anticipated to hitch the squad on Thursday night.Nkunku injured his left knee following a sort out from midfielder Eduardo Camavinga moments earlier than the top of Tuesday night’s ultimate coaching session in France.Deschamps is with out injured midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, who helped France win the World Cup 4 years in the past. Central defender Presnel Kimpembe pulled out Monday after failing to sufficiently get well from a six-week layoff following a hamstring harm.Deschamps has an anxious wait to see if his greatest central defender, Raphael Varane, is match to face Australia on Nov. 22 — precisely a month after he limped off for Manchester United with a hamstring harm.There’s additionally some doubt about Karim Benzema’s health. Since profitable the Ballon d’Or final month, Benzema has performed fewer than half-hour for Actual Madrid, coming off the bench in a Champions League recreation. France begins its title protection towards Australia on Nov. 22 at Al Janoub Stadium, then faces Denmark earlier than finishing its Group D matches towards Tunisia on Nov. 30.No group has efficiently defended its World Cup title since Brazil in 1962.When Les Bleus got here into the 2002 event as defending champions they went out within the group stage.___