World Cup

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World Cup | Semi-Finals

Dec 14, 2022 at 7pm UK

Al Bayt Stadium

France
2 - 0
Morocco

Hernandez (5'), Kolo (79')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Boufal (27')

France's Adrien Rabiot, Dayot Upamecano 'doubtful for World Cup semi-final'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter

Published: December 14 2022 | 08:27

Last updated: December 16 2022 | 02:07

Rabiot, Upamecano 'doubtful for World Cup semi-final'

France duo Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano are reportedly both doubts for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final with Morocco after catching colds.

France duo Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano are reportedly both doubtful for Wednesday's World Cup 2022 semi-final with Morocco due to illness.

Both men have been ever-presents in the first XI under Didier Deschamps during Les Bleus' run to the final four, as they aim to become just the third team in history to win back-to-back World Cups.

Juventus' Rabiot has formed an effective midfield partnership with Aurelien Tchouameni and has impressed in Qatar, scoring once and providing one assist in five matches so far.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich's Upamecano has fended off competition from the likes of Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba to become Raphael Varane's first-choice centre-back partner, and he has also started four games for the reigning champions.

However, L'Equipe reports that Rabiot and Upamecano have both come down with a cold due to the constant air conditioning in Qatar and are not certain to face Morocco in the semi-finals.

England's Harry Kane in action with France's Dayot Upamecano at the World Cup on December 10, 2022 © Reuters

Both Rabiot and Upamecano are said to have missed training on Tuesday, and the latter was also not able to take part in Monday's session after presenting symptoms, including a sore throat.

Meanwhile, Rabiot was able to join in with his teammates on Monday, although he has since fallen victim to the bug as well, and the French Football Federation confirmed that both players remained inside yesterday.

There is not thought to be any wider spread of infection in the France camp, and Deschamps should otherwise have all of his players available for Wednesday's pivotal showdown.

Should Upamecano fail to make the cut, Konate is expected to get the nod to partner Varane, while Youssouf Fofana is the most likely candidate to replace Rabiot in the middle.

France have been bedevilled by injuries before and during the tournament, as Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante and Mike Maignan were all ruled out prior to Deschamps's squad announcement.

France coach Didier Deschamps on November 22, 2022 © Reuters

Presnel Kimpembe was also forced to pull out due to an Achilles problem, while Christopher Nkunku and Karim Benzema withdrew after picking up injuries in training.

Nkunku sustained a serious knee problem during France's final session at Clairefontaine before they flew out to Qatar, while Benzema had only just rejoined team practice before suffering a thigh injury.

However, Benzema is now back in training with Real Madrid, and the Ballon d'Or winner is still available for selection for the semi-final and third-placed playoff or final, as he was never replaced by France after his withdrawal.

Meanwhile, Lucas Hernandez's World Cup lasted all of 13 minutes as he suffered a torn ACL during their opening Group D match with Australia, leading brother Theo Hernandez to take his place for the remainder of the competition.

African trailblazers Morocco also have concerns over defenders Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss and Noussair Mazraoui, and manager Walid Regragui provided a fitness update in his pre-game press conference.