FIFA: French team contracts virus before World Cup final with Argentina

The starting center-back duo for defending champions France may not play in the World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday because of contracting a virus.

According to ESPN, Ibrahima Konate and his fellow defender Raphael Varane have not left his room since feeling unwell, and exhibits moderate symptoms of the infection.

Two days prior to the World Cup final match against Argentina, Varane and Konate were two of five French players who failed to show up for practice. Due to illnesses at the beginning of the week, Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot, and Kingsley Coman did not participate in practice on Friday.

After Upamecano and Rabiot missed the semifinal victory over Morocco due to the infection, France coach Didier Deschamps asserted that the team was taking precautions to stop the sickness from spreading.

Deschamps added that the weather in Doha has cooled off a little bit, and the air conditioning is always on. A few players have come down with flu-like symptoms. Despite the players’ best efforts on the field and our best efforts to prevent it from spreading, it is apparent that their immune systems have been compromised, as cited by ESPN.

Now that they have healed, Deschamps stated that Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano might play against Argentina on Sunday.

He also said that Dayot will be in shape, he got a fever and was unwell for 3 days since Saturday, which had an effect on his strength. He chose Konate on field instead of him because he has demonstrated that he is capable of competing at this level given the challenging match the team had played, French Coach Didier Deschamps told ESPN.

Rabiot was ill and got better this afternoon, but he wasn’t well enough to leave the hotel. He should be better and available for Sunday as we have four days to rest, Didier adds.

After star players like Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez, and Christopher Nkunku were forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injuries, this is France’s latest setback.

The final match of FIFA World Cup will be played between France and Argentina on December 18 at Qatar’s Lusail Iconic Stadium.