Varane, Konate miss training for virus-hit France

Five French athletes, including Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konaté, did not attend practise on Friday, two days before their World Cup final match against Argentina. According to French media, the two centre-backs have apparently become the newest players for France to contract a virus. Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot, and Kingsley Coman were forced to stay home at the beginning of the week after contracting illnesses.

Friday saw the return to training of Upamecano, Rabiot, while Coman was still out. Additionally missing were Theo Hernandez and Aurelien Tchouameni, according to the French sports publication L'Equipe. Ousmane Dembele, a winger for France, stated that he and his teammates were unconcerned about important players being sick prior to Sunday's championship game. Dembele responded, "No, we're not. "The virus doesn't scare us. Dayot and Adrien both experienced some stomach discomfort.