France dealt fresh illness concern ahead of World Cup final

France attacker Kingsley Coman has become the third Bleus player to be struck down with illness as they prepare to tackle Argentina in Sunday's World Cup 2022 final.

The reigning champions progressed to the showpiece event courtesy of a 2-0 win over Morocco on Wednesday, although Didier Deschamps was forced into two changes on the night.

Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano both displayed cold-like symptoms, reportedly as a consequence of the constant air conditioning in Qatar, and neither man was able to play a part in midweek.

Youssouf Fofana and Ibrahima Konate were drafted into the first XI by Deschamps, who witnessed his side score through Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani either side of the half-time whistle.

France have another three days to recover before they compete for international glory against South American champions Argentina, but according to L'Equipe, Coman is now showing flu-like symptoms.

The report claims that the Bayern Munich attacker was unable to have lunch with his teammates on Thursday and was already feeling under the weather before the semi-final win over Morocco.

Coman was an unused substitute against the Atlas Lions and has now emerged as a doubt for the World Cup final, although he would have been unlikely to start anyway.

The attacker has made five appearances for Les Bleus in Qatar, but four of them have come from the bench, with his only start coming in France's final Group D defeat to Tunisia.

On a brighter note, Rabiot and Upamecano are understood to be recovering well from their illnesses, and both men should be able to take part in practice on Thursday evening.

Rabiot will likely displace Fofana for the World Cup final alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, who shook off a calf concern in time to make the first XI for Wednesday's victory.

However, Konate performed admirably in the absence of Upamecano in midweek, so the Bayern Munich defender is fighting more of a battle to regain his place in the first XI.

Elsewhere, Theo Hernandez will need closer assessment after taking a couple of blows to the knee on Wednesday, while Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann all sustained bruises in that game.

There is nothing to suggest that the quartet will not be present for the final at this moment in time, and France are also allowed to recall Karim Benzema, who left the camp before the opening matchday after suffering a thigh injury.

The Ballon d'Or winner has now returned to training with Real Madrid, and Les Bleus did not call up a replacement at the time of his injury, so they could welcome him back for Sunday's game.

However, Deschamps refused to comment on the possibility of recalling Benzema when asked in Wednesday's post-game press conference.