Didier Deschamps insists France have 'no anxiety' over injuries ahead of World Cup opener

Striker Benzema became latest Les Bleus withdrawal from tournament as they face Australia in first game on Tuesday

France forward Kylian Mbappe during a training session at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on November 17, 2022, ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. AFP

France striker Karim Benzema during training in Doha. EPA

France manager Didier Deschamps with Kylian Mbappe. EPA

France's Kingsley Coman is challenged by Lucas Hernandez. Getty

Antoine Griezmann of France. Getty

France goalkeeper Hugo Loris. EPA

France's player Karim Benzema training with teammates. EPA

France attacker Ousmane Dembele. AFP

France attacker Kylian Mbappe. EPA

Fans in Doha watch Karim Benzema at the France training session. EPA

France defender Ibrahima Konate. Getty

France's Karim Benzema during training. Reuters

France attacker Olivier Giroud receives treatment on an injury. EPA

France manager Didier Deschamps talks to his players. Getty

France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. Getty

France's Karim Benzema watches Raphael Varane. AFP

France attacker Ousmane Dembele. EPA

France's Karim Benzema during training. EPA

France's Karim Benzema. EPA

France manager Didier Deschamps talks to his players. EPA

Theo Hernandez of France in action during training. Getty

France manager Didier Deschamps. AFP

France forward Antoine Griezmann nutmegs Matteo Guendouzi. Getty

The France squad stretch during training. EPA

France's Kylian Mbappe. EPA

France manager Didier Deschamps insists "there's no anxiety" in his squad despite a large number of high-profile absences from the World Cup in Qatar.

Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema became the latest withdrawal from the tournament, joining the likes of Presnel Kimpembe, N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Christopher Nkunku on the reigning champions' missing list.

Benzema should have been heading to the Middle East in the form of his life after winning the Champions League and La Liga with Real Madrid last season, scoring a phenomenal 44 goals in 46 games for Los Blancos.

But the 34-year-old had been struggling with a thigh problem since October and has played less than half an hour of football in Real's last six games.

“I’ve got 25 players in my squad. I’m convinced I have the efficient number of players to be able to deal with the challenges we face,” Deschamps said on their eve of France's opening game against Australia on Tuesday.

“Before [in previous tournaments] we had 22, 23. Now it is 26 and we are at 25. There are lots of possibilities, lots of players on the bench and therefore I believe we have everything we need.

“There’s no apprehension. We have done everything possible. There’s no anxiety, everyone is calm and there are cool heads.”

Deschamps admitted Les Bleus were now without some of their bigger characters but believes those who remain have not been too badly affected.

“You think I can just click my fingers and someone can say ‘OK, I will be a leader, I will give pep talks and lead the squad to victory’? No, it’s something that comes with time,” he said.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, it can’t happen overnight, but we have what we need. We have enough players who are able to stimulate, get others going, talk in the dressing rooms, on the pitch, on the sidelines.

“But there are other types of leadership, it’s not just about speaking. If it is speaking to blow hot air then it’s not really worth it. It’s important that each player is a leader in their position, then we’ll see what they are made of on the pitch."

Meanwhile, Australia coach Graham Arnold said on Monday he refuses to even mention the word France, let alone any of their players, as his outsiders prepare for their opener against the reigning champions

Even without Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema, midfielders Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante and centre-back Presnel Kimpembe, France are full of global stars, led by Kylian Mbappe.

Australia beat Peru to clinch World Cup spot

But Arnold doesn't want his players to get overawed by illustrious opponents and has tried to present the French as faceless positions with specific strengths and attributes rather than star individuals.

"It's not being disrespectful at all but I've hardly mentioned the word France and I've hardly mentioned any players' names," said the Socceroos coach.

"They all play in positions, the players know who they are but it's about identifying those players' strengths and it's one against one.

"There's 10 blue shirts against 10 yellow shirts and it's a fight. It's our job to go out there tomorrow to show them who we are as a nation."

Captain and goalkeeper Mathew Ryan said it was about finding the right balance in their approach.

"The biggest focus for us has been the mentality and the boys have grasped the mentality: we go into every game, whoever we're facing, with the right amount of respect," he said.

"We don't underestimate anybody and we don't over-respect anyone and that's a real challenge."