Champions France aim to shake off Benzema absence

DOHA: Nothing is going to disrupt France in their opening World Cup game against Australia — not Karim Benzema’s absence, and especially not the ‘One Love’ armband row in Qatar, captain Hugo Lloris said on Monday.

The defending champions start their campaign in Group D on Tuesday, looking to beat the Socceroos just like they did to kick off their 2018 journey in Russia. They have been hit by a series of injuries, which ruled key midfielders Ngolo Kante and Paul Pogba, and most recently Ballon d’or winner Benzema, who left the squad in the early hours of Sunday after withdrawing with a thigh injury, and centre back Presnel Kimpembe. “We still believe in our chances, in our squad. The last-minute withdrawals, especially Karim’s, did not help,” Lloris told a news conference.

“But I want to think that the team will move on.”

Several teams — England, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark — had planned to wear the One Love armband against any form but, in a joint statement, backed down hours before England’s opening game against Iran on Monday.

According to FIFA rules, team equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images, and during FIFA Final Competitions, the captain of each team “must wear the captain’s armband provided by FIFA”.

France had not planned any action, staying clear from controversy. “I want to say that FIFA organises the competition and it sets a frame, rules. Us players are here to play football and represent our country on a sporting level,” Lloris said.

“On that level, the first game is always extremely important and as defending champions, the expectations are even higher for us.”

The defending champions have exited the World Cup at the end of the group phase in four of the last five editions. Coach Didier Deschamps needs to reshuffle his attacking line in the absence of Benzema, with veteran Olivier Giroud likely to start as a lone forward.

The 36-year-old has long been underestimated as he does not have the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe or Benzema, but he has proved reliable and is only two shy of Thierry Henry’s all-time goal scoring record of 51 with Les Bleus.

Denmark in Qatar to win World Cup, says coach

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said on Monday that his team have come to Qatar to win the World Cup as they prepare for their Group D opener against Tunisia.

The Danes reached the semifinals of the European Championship last year despite losing their opening game after talisman Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch with a cardiac arrest.

They come into the tournament on the back of a strong qualifying campaign and two Nations League wins over group rivals France.