Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d’Or, which is awarded to the world football player of the year, after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga.
The French national team announced that he had a thigh injury and will not be able to compete in the competition.
“The entire team shares Karim’s anguish and wishes him a fast recovery,” the statement said.
According to the French Football Federation, an MRI examination revealed a thigh muscle damage that will necessitate a three-week recuperation time.
France is in Group D and will face Australia on November 22, Denmark on November 26, and Tunisia on November 30.
Didier Deschamps, France’s head coach, has until Monday to select a substitute, and the injury to Benzema, 34, who has scored 37 goals in 97 meetings for France, is another setback for the World Cup holders.
They are already without midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante due to injury, and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is attempting to regain fitness after missing the previous five club matches.
RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku was ruled out of the tournament on Wednesday after limping out of training, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani was called up as a replacement.
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is one of the possible replacements for Benzema, who has been out with a thigh injury since October.
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