Coach Didier Deschamps named 25 players last week but with 26 allowed in Qatar he has added the 25-year-old Thuram, son of France 1998 World Cup winner Lilian.

Deschamps added: 'I already know what I will do against Australia' when asked about his defensive options in the light of Kimpembe's absence and injury worries over Manchester United centre back Raphael Varane.

Deschamps indicated Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate and Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano were the two options to fill the role of left-sided centre back.

Deschamps added 29-year-old Varane, who has been included in the squad despite being injured in October, was making good progress and could face the Socceroos.

"He is training with the ball and doing well," Deschamps said. "He still has steps to take in the next few days. He is fine. He is in good spirits.

"We are not going to cut corners. He is supposed to be available for the first game."

Paris Saint-Germain defender Kimpembe had hoped to shrug off an Achilles tendon injury but his place was taken by Monaco's Disasi on Monday.

"Kimpembe did not have all the elements to be ready," Deschamps said on Monday.

"He is honest and faces reality even though it's painful."

In a cruel twist Morocco's Amine Harit looks like being ruled out after colliding with Disasi in Marseille's 3-2 win in Monaco on Sunday.

Midfielder Harit was stretchered off in the 58th minute, holding his left knee.

The 25-year-old, who has 16 caps, was said by his club said on Monday to have strained a cruciate ligament.

Morocco play their opening match in Group F on November 23 against 2018 runners-up Croatia.

With Reuters

Australian Associated Press