French defenders Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konaté are the latest players to succumb to a “flu virus that swept through the defending champions’ squad ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final.

Manchester United’s Varane and Liverpool defender Konaté both starred as Didier Deschamps’ side beat Morocco on Wednesday night to set up the weekend’s final clash with Argentina.

However, it is understood both players woke up with mild cold and flu symptoms on Friday morning and will now be in isolation and monitored for the next 24 hours.

Raphael Varane is battling a virus ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina

Varane’s centre-back partner Ibrahima Konaté also fell ill ahead of the final

Fellow defender Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot fell ill earlier this week and missed the semi-final. Reserve winger Kingsley Coman was also sick.

France coach Didier Deschamps explained the situation on Thursday, telling reporters: “Coman had a fever this morning. ‘We had a few cases of flu-like symptoms. We are trying to be careful so it doesn’t spread. .

“The players tried very hard on the pitch and obviously their immune systems suffered.

‘Dayot Upamecano felt bad after the game against England. It happens when you exercise so much, you are more prone to catching these viruses. We take all the necessary precautions.

The French camp blamed the disease virus on air conditioning in Qatar.

They are not the first team to complain about it, because Antony from Brazil raised the issue and the effect it had on his side earlier in the tournament.

Meanwhile, supporters have also complained about the air conditioning in the stadiumsrevealing that they had to wear sweaters to keep warm when attending games.

Adrien Rabiot (left) and Dayot Upamecano (right) missed the French national team semi-final due to illness

Just days after supporters raised concerns about air conditioning, it has been confirmed that World Cup chiefs turned it off an hour before England’s group game against the United States which ended in a goalless draw.

Several England players complained afterwards that it was too hot inside the stadium during the game.

Deschamps now faces an anxious wait to see if Varane and Konaté recover in time with the final just 48 hours away.

Didier Deschamps can’t wait to see if Varane and Konaté will be fit for Sunday

If the pair are unable to step onto the pitch, that could see Upamecano return, while Arsenal’s William Saliba would be another option.

Jules Kounde could also move inside after playing as a right-back in Qatar, but that would likely lead to a major reshuffle at the back, with either Benjamin Pavard or Axel Disasi at full-back.

There has been talk of a return to the France squad for striker Karim Benzema after the injured Ballon D’Or winger found his form. This remains to be confirmed or denied by the French Football Federation.