Mbappe goes through paces as depleted France prepare for World Cup defence - in pictures

Les Bleus face Australia in their opener on Tuesday night without a raft of key players

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  Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez and Olivier Giroud take part in a training session at Al Janoub stadium in Doha, on November 21, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match against Australia. AFP

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  Ibrahima Konate and his France teammates take part in a training session at Al Janoub stadium. AFP

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  Ibrahima Konate and France teammates take part in a training session at Al Janoub Stadium. AFP

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  France players stop for a drinks break during a training session. AFP

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  France take part in a training session at Al Janoub Stadium. AFP

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  Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann take part in a training session at Al Janoub Stadium. AFP

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  Aurelien Tchouameni takes part in a training session at Al Janoub Stadium. AFP

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  Raphael Varane takes part in a France training session at Al Janoub Stadium. AFP

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  France's Kylian Mbappe, center, stretches with teammates during a training session on the eve of the group D World Cup soccer match between France and Australia, in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. (AP Photo / Christophe Ena)

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  Jules Kounde and Kylian Mbappe stretch during a training session. AP

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  France's coach Didier Deschamps oversees a training session of his players including France's forward Kylian Mbappe (R) at the Al Janoub stadium in Al-Wakrah / Al Sadd SC Training site in Doha, on November 21, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match between France and Australia. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

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  Didier Deschamps oversees a France training session at the Al Janoub Stadium. AFP

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  Didier Deschamps during a France training session at Al Janoub Stadium. AFP

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  Kylian Mbappe and his France teammates takes part in a training session. AFP

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  Jules Kounde takes part in a France training session at Al Janoub Stadium. AFP

France begin their World Cup title defence on Tuesday night following a less-than-ideal build-up, which has seen several key players ruled out of the tournament in Qatar.

Les Bleus were already braced for the absence of starting central midfield pair Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante but the injury list has been growing in recent weeks. Central defender Presnel Kimpembe, back-up goalkeeper Mike Maignan, and striker Christopher Nkunku have all also been ruled out, before Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema went down injured during a training session.

Meanwhile, centre-back Raphael Varane has been sidelined since the end of October and is in a race against time to be ready for the start of France's campaign.

Setting aside a potential injury crisis, the France squad, led by forward Kylian Mbappe, remains full of talent and the players took part in a final training session at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday evening in preparation for their opening game against Australia.

France defeated Australia 2-1 in their first game en route to the 2018 title in Russia and will once again be heavy favourites to claim maximum points on Tuesday night.

Check out the best photos from France's training session in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.