The veteran defender is suffering from a sore calf and was not named in coach Raymond Domenech’s starting line-up.

Thuram joins a long list of injured players in France’s central defense as William Gallas, Lilian Thuram, Jean-Alain Boumsong and Philippe Mexes all had to pull out due to various injuries.

Sevilla defender Julien Escude will partner Lyon's Sebastien Squillaci at the center of France’s defense.

France’s starting line-up:

Gregory Coupet; Willy Sagnol, Sebastien Squillaci, Julien Escude, Eric Abidal; Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira, Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda; Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet.