Doha, November 20 (QNA) - Didier Deschamps, the Manager of France, the Champion of 2018 World Cup, announced on Sunday that he has not called up a replacement for striker Karim Benzema, who was excluded from the French National Team participating in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 due to injury. Instead, France will compete in the tournament with 25 players.

Benzema trained with the French National Team on Saturday but left the training session after a short period due to a thigh injury. After examination, he was excluded from the tournament.

Benzema became the second player to leave the French squad due to injury after striker Christopher Nkunku, who was injured during training. Randal Kolo Muani was called up as a replacement.

France will play in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Group D, which also includes Australia, Denmark and Tunisia. It will begin its campaign to defend its title with a match against Australia on Tuesday before meeting Denmark on Nov. 26 and Tunisia on Nov. 30. (QNA)