Presnel Kimpembe, who recently returned from injury for Paris Saint-Germain, has been replaced in France’s World Cup team by the uncapped Axel Disasi.
The PSG defender Kimpembe participated in the final 15 minutes of Sunday’s 5-0 Ligue 1 victory over Auxerre after missing the victories over Juventus and Lorient.
What happened?
Kimpembe, who has played 28 times for France, said following the game that he “is feeling fine” and is eager to reunite with his nation for Qatar 2022.
The defender “does not consider himself sufficiently recovered,” according to the French Football Federation, to be allowed to represent the defending world champions, the organization said on Monday.
Kimpembe has been replaced in Didier Deschamps’ 26-man squad by center back Disasi, who has made 23 appearances for Monaco this season.
Marcus Thuram, a forward for Borussia Monchengladbach, has also been called up after making 17 appearances this season and tallying 13 goals and four assists.
Prior to their opening Group D match against Australia on November 22, the France team is scheduled to gather at their training facility in Clairefontaine on Monday.
Then, Les Blues will play Tunisia and Denmark in an effort to become the third team to win back-to-back World Cups.
