FIFA WC: Big blow to defending champions France, Benzema out of World Cup, five players injured so far

Defending champions France have already suffered a major setback ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The team's star forward Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup due to injury. The French Football Federation said on Sunday that Benzema was suffering from a thigh injury. He got this injury during training.

Coach Didier Deschamps said - I am very sad for Benzema. He made this World Cup his goal. However, despite this injury, I have full faith in my team. We are fully prepared to meet the challenge before us.

The Ballon d'Or winning footballer had been battling a hamstring injury for some time now. He had to stay away from the training session on Saturday when the problem got worse. This is the fifth major setback for 2018 FIFA World Cup champion France before this World Cup. Earlier, the team's star midfielders N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, Nkuku and defender Kimpembe have been ruled out.