France optimistic Varane, Benzema will be available for World Cup opener

The French national team is confident that defender Raphael Varane and striker Karim Benzema will be available for the FIFA World Cup opener against Australia on Tuesday.

Both players, Varane and Benzema are training separately from the rest of the group as they recover from their respective injuries.

According to the French outlet RMCSport, there is optimism that Varane will be available for the game.

The defender has not played for his club Manchester United since October 22 due to a thigh injury.

However, the expectation has always been that Varane will be ready for the World Cup.

The player is said to be following the protocols established by the national team to be ready for the game.

Varane is an experienced member of the French team and was colossal for the World champions when they lifted the trophy in 2018.

And if the champions are to defend their title, all of their key players must be fit and firing.

“The feelings are good, and optimism remains in order. Varane continues the protocol put in place by the staff to be at the maximum for the entry into the running of the Blues on Tuesday against Australia,” RMCSport reports.

Benzema, like Varane, is undergoing separate training, and it is a race against time for the Real Madrid number 9 to be ready for the game.

While the French doctors are optimistic about the two players, it remains to be seen whether Tuesday is too soon for them to return to action

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is set to start on Sunday with the host nation take on Ecuador on Sunday evening (18:00) in a group A encounter.

Article compiled by Tlalane Phahla

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