• France's Kylian Mbappe, left, and Youssouf Fofana during their training session at the Jassim Bin Hamad stadium in Doha ahead of the World Cup 2022 final against Argentina. AP
    France's Kylian Mbappe, left, and Youssouf Fofana during their training session at the Jassim Bin Hamad stadium in Doha ahead of the World Cup 2022 final against Argentina. AP
  • France's Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano and Axel Disasi attend a training session in Doha. AFP
    France's Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano and Axel Disasi attend a training session in Doha. AFP
  • France's Jordan Vertout, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembele, Jules Kounde and Eduardo Kamavinga train for the World Cup final in Doha. PA
    France's Jordan Vertout, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembele, Jules Kounde and Eduardo Kamavinga train for the World Cup final in Doha. PA
  • France's Kylian Mbappe, right, and Marcus Thuram, train in Doha. AP
    France's Kylian Mbappe, right, and Marcus Thuram, train in Doha. AP
  • France's Olivier Giroud, centre, and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris during training in Doha. AP
    France's Olivier Giroud, centre, and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris during training in Doha. AP
  • France's Antoine Griezmann controls the ball during training. AP
    France's Antoine Griezmann controls the ball during training. AP
  • France's Kylian Mbappe during training session in Doha. AP
    France's Kylian Mbappe during training session in Doha. AP
  • France's Kylian Mbappe during training. PA
    France's Kylian Mbappe during training. PA
  • France's Benjamin Pavard trains for the World Cup final. PA
    France's Benjamin Pavard trains for the World Cup final. PA
  • France's forward Kylian Mbappe smiles during a training session. AFP
    France's forward Kylian Mbappe smiles during a training session. AFP
  • Kylian Mbappe trains for Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina. PA
    Kylian Mbappe trains for Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina. PA

Three key France players out of training with illness ahead of World Cup final


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France were anxiously awaiting news on the health of three key players as they trained for the World Cup 2022 final against Argentina in Doha.

Defending champions France were forced to exclude defenders Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate and winger Kingsley Coman from a training session on Friday because they had cold-like symptoms.

Their absence led to fears of a virus in the French camp after two players - Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano - were earlier ruled out of the semi-final win over Morocco.

However, both Rabiot and Upamecano returned to training. The French Football Federation (FFF) said Coman had already been forced to miss training on Thursday because of a "light viral syndrome".

However, France forward Randal Kolo Muani played down the illnesses concerns. But he said the team is following strict health protocols.

"I think there is a flu going around; it's nothing too serious and they will be fine I think for Sunday," said Eintracht Frankfurt striker Kolo Muani, who scored France's second goal against Morocco.

"Everyone is being careful. The doctors have put in place a hygiene system to avoid the virus spreading.

"The sick players are in their rooms. We're washing our hands all the time and we try and keep the social distancing thing in place too. We're very strict on these rules."

Forward Ousmane Dembele insisted the situation and ongoing uncertainty was not a distraction.

"We're not scared of the virus," said the Barcelona player.

"Dayot and Adrien, they had a headache, maybe a sore tummy, but they've got tea and ginger and honey and that helps them a lot.

"We're not preoccupied by that, so hopefully everyone will be fully fit for Sunday's game."

  • Argentina's players take part in a training session at the Qatar University training site ahead of the World Cup final against France, which takes place on Sunday. AFP
    Argentina's players take part in a training session at the Qatar University training site ahead of the World Cup final against France, which takes place on Sunday. AFP
  • Argentina's players take part in a training session at the Qatar University training ground. AFP
    Argentina's players take part in a training session at the Qatar University training ground. AFP
  • Argentina's players train for the World Cup final against France. AFP
    Argentina's players train for the World Cup final against France. AFP
  • Argentina's players take part in a training session. AFP
    Argentina's players take part in a training session. AFP
  • Argentina's German Pezzella during training. Reuters
    Argentina's German Pezzella during training. Reuters
  • Argentina train in Doha. AFP
    Argentina train in Doha. AFP
  • Argentina's forward Paulo Dybala takes part in a training session at the Qatar University training ground. AFP
    Argentina's forward Paulo Dybala takes part in a training session at the Qatar University training ground. AFP
  • Argentina's players train for the World Cup final against France. AFP
    Argentina's players train for the World Cup final against France. AFP
  • Argentina's players take part in a training session at the Qatar University training ground. AFP
    Argentina's players take part in a training session at the Qatar University training ground. AFP
  • Paulo Dybala during Argentina's training session. AFP
    Paulo Dybala during Argentina's training session. AFP
  • Argentina Julian Alvarez, left, talks to teammates during training. AFP
    Argentina Julian Alvarez, left, talks to teammates during training. AFP
  • Paulo Dybala, centre, Guido Rodriguez during a training session. AFP
    Paulo Dybala, centre, Guido Rodriguez during a training session. AFP
  • Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni oversees his team training session. AFP
    Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni oversees his team training session. AFP
Updated: December 17, 2022, 7:18 AM