As France prepares to face Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday, Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate are the newest members of the team to contract an illness, bringing the total to five.
Kingsley Coman, a winger, had already been identified as the third player by France manager Didier Deschamps, while Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano had been ruled out of the semi-final victory over Croatia due to viruses that some players have linked to the air conditioning systems in the Qatari stadiums.
Coman reported flu-like symptoms, and Deschamps acknowledged on Friday morning that it will be difficult for France to prevent an outbreak in the camp before their match against Argentina in the final two days.
“Coman had a fever this morning,” Deschamps said. “We have had a few cases of flu-like symptoms. We are trying to be careful so that it does not spread. The players have put in a great effort on the pitch and obviously their immune systems have suffered.
“Dayot Upamecano felt bad right after the game against England. It happens when you exert yourself so much, you are more prone to getting these viruses. We’re taking all the necessary precautions.”