France striker Karim Benzema has officially pulled out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar due to a thigh injury.

Real Madrid star Benzema, 34, withdrew from the team's training session on Saturday at the Jassim bin Hammad Stadium and was already ruled out of France's inaugural match against Australia on Tuesday.

This will be the third consecutive World Cup that Benzema will miss, as confirmed by the French national team.

The Real forward will be replaced on the starting lineup by AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud, who is just three goals away from passing Thierry Henry as France's top goalscorer in history.

France will also be without the injured N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba.

Manchester United attacker Anthony Martial will be called up to join the main squad, filling the vacant spot left behind by Benzema.