Benzema overlooked again by France boss Deschamps
The Real Madrid striker has been left out of the France squad again. It is an ongoing punishment for the player's alleged involvement in the Valbuena Case.
Karim Benzema has been left out of the France squad for the upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Holland and Luxembourg.The Real Madrid player has not been called up for international duty since the problematic Valbuena case at the end of 2015. Also missing from the list is Ousmane Dembélé who has been isolated by Borussia Dortmund for failing to turn up for training.
Key home games for France
France host Holland at Stade de France in their seventh qualifier on 31 August - a key match for Didier Deschamps' team who sit second in Group A, level on points with leaders Sweden and just three points ahead of the Oranje. Three days later France are back in action in Toulouse against Luxembourg.
Included in Deschamps' list are Kylian Mbappé, Raphaël Varane, Samuel Umtiti and Antoine Griezmann.
Today, L'Équipe published comments from several former France internationals, some of whom feel that Benzema should be recalled. When asked about the Madrid striker, Deschamps told reporters: "You all know my stance on Benzema, I have made it clear and it hasn't changed".
France squad:
Goalkeepers: Areola, Lloris and Mandanda
Defenders: Digne, Jallet, Kimpembe, Koscielny, Kurzawa, Sidibé, Umtiti, Varane
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Midfielders: Kanté, Lemar, Matuidi, Pogba, Rabiot, Tolisso
Forwards: Coman, Fekir, Giroud, Griezmann, Lacazette, Mbappé and Thauvin