France coach Raymond Domenech has excluded Samir Nasri and Karim Benzema from his 30-man World Cup squad.
Manchester City’s Patrick Vieira is also amongst the high-profile list of names which will be left at home for the tournament in South Africa next month.
Real Madrid striker, Benzema, has had a disappointing first season with the Spanish giants, scoring just nine goals in 32 appearances, and it’s obvious that Domenech bases his decisions on club appearances and form.
Arsenal midfielder, Nasri, has made 34 appearances this season for the Gunners and will have expected to be involved at the World Cup.
Domenech is expected to announce his 23-man squad prior to FIFA’s 1 June deadline.
France preliminary squad:
Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Cedric Carrasso, Mickael Landreau, Bacary Sagna, Patrice Evra, William Gallas, Eric Abidal, Rod Fanni, Sebastien Squillaci, Adil Rami, Marc Planus, Anthony Reveillere, Lassana Diarra, Alou Diarra, Jeremy Toulalan, Florent Malouda, Yoann Gourcuff, Abou Diaby, Yann M’Vila, Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Franck Ribery, Sidney Govou, Djibril Cisse, Hatem Ben Arfa, Mathieu Valbuena, Jimmy Briand.
