Pogba out of WC 2022 in big blow for France

Paul Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, has confirmed the France midfielder will miss the World Cup through injury.

Pogba has suffered a set-back in training at Juventus after undergoing meniscus surgery on his right knee in September. The 29-year-old had hoped to avoid an operation after hurting the knee in July after joining Juventus from Manchester United when his contract at Old Trafford expired.

It had been thought that Pogba, who is yet to play for Juventus in his second spell at the club, would still have enough time after the surgery to regain his fitness for the World Cup. He only returned to training last week but will now not play again this year following further tests.

“Following yesterday and today’s medical review in Torino and Pittsburgh it is extremely painful to inform Paul Pogba will still need recovery time from his surgery,” Pimenta said.

“For this reason Paul will not be able to join the Juventus squad before the World Cup break nor the French national team in Qatar. If wishful thinking would change things, Paul would be playing tomorrow.

“But what changes things are hard work, resilience and discipline, all of which are the only things on Paul’s mind at these challenging times. Paul will continue working, giving his very best on the pitch for the fans and his team as soon as possible.”

The confirmation is another huge blow to the world champions, France, who are already without the injured N’Golo Kante after he underwent hamstring surgery. It means they will be going to Qatar without their two key midfielders from winning the World Cup in Russia in 2018.

France coach Didier Deschamps is also sweating on the fitness of central defender Raphael Varane who suffered a hamstring injury in United’s recent draw away to Chelsea and left the pitch in tears.

Pogba’s last appearance for France came in the 5-0 friendly win against South Africa in March. They kick off their defence of the World Cup on Nov 22 against Australia.

The loss of such a world superstar will again call into question the timing of the World Cup in the middle of such an intense season and with football still trying to catch up from the effects of Covid.

Several nations, including England, are struggling with firstchoice players out injured and unlikely to make it while the lack of lead time into the tournament means coaches cannot gamble on fitness despite having enlarged 26-man squads to choose from.