Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani will replace RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku in the France squad for the World Cup in Qatar, the French federation (FFF) said on Wednesday.

Nkunku was ruled out of the tournament after leaving Tuesday’s training session early with a left knee injury. A video circulating on social media showed Nkunku clashing with teammate Eduardo Camavinga.

“The Eintracht Frankfurt striker, currently in Japan with his club, will join the French team in Doha on Thursday morning,” the FFF said in a statement.

Son unsure

Doha: South Korea captain Son Heung-min said he is not sure if he can play in all their matches at the World Cup after undergoing surgery this month to stabilise a fracture around his left eye.

The 30-year-old midfielder, who will wear a protective mask during South Korea’s matches in Qatar, had his first training session with the team in Doha on Wednesday.

“I’m not a doctor. It’s difficult for me to say when I can play,” Son, whose side begin their campaign in Group H against Uruguay on Nov. 24, told reporters. “I’ll do the best I can under the circumstances. But it’s tough for me to say right now that I will play every game.”

Fati’s chance

Amman: Spain coach Luis Enrique confirmed that Ansu Fati will start in their friendly against Jordan in Amman on Thursday, the team’s last match before they travel to Qatar for the World Cup.

Fati was Luis Enrique’s biggest question mark when deciding his 26-man squad, as the Barcelona forward is fighting his way back from four surgeries to repair a knee injury suffered in November, 2020.

“I see him better, much better than the last time he came. Tomorrow (Thursday) he will play from the start and I hope he plays the full 90 minutes,” Luis Enrique told a news conference on Wednesday.

Depay fit

Doha: Netherlands striker Memphis Depay has declared himself fit for the World Cup, alleviating concerns that he might miss the tournament in Qatar, although he is not certain to start their first game on Monday.

Depay trained with the team, who put in a session on Tuesday just hours after arriving in Qatar, having struggled with a hamstring injury for two months.

“Training has gone very well. I could do everything I do in a match, only then of course you go full for 90 minutes, over longer distances,” he told reporters.

Depay must now wait to see whether Louis van Gaal risks starting him against Senegal in their opening Group A match.

Van Gaal support

Doha: Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said Dutch fans who are boycotting the World Cup over human rights concern are right to do so but hopes that if his side get to next month’s final they will at least watch the game on television.

Van Gaal also repeated his assertion that Qatar should not be hosting the World Cup, but said it was because it was too small for the 32-team tournament and that hosting should be restricted to major football-playing countries.

Beer price

Doha: Half a litre of beer will cost 50 Qatari riyals ($13.73) inside the main fan zone at the World Cup. Major World Cup sponsor Budweiser has exclusive rights to sell beer at the finals and will serve its products at the 40,000 capacity Fifa Fan Fest in Doha’s Al Bidda Park.

Tilio as cover

Melbourne: Australia have flown Melbourne City winger Marco Tilio to Qatar as injury cover at the World Cup with Martin Boyle a doubt for the France opener with a knee problem.

Warning London: Footballers heading to Qatar face increased risk of injury and stress due to a packed schedule, global players’ union FIFPRO said in a report. The report, published on Tuesday, highlighted the lack of recovery time that players will have upon the conclusion of the World Cup.