M88WorldCups - Karim Benzema has once again brought forward one of the most compelling storylines in his extraordinary career by revealing that he remains fully open to representing the France national team at the 2026 World Cup.

This statement emerges despite a history with Les Bleus that has been marked by complex dynamics and controversy, which for many years led to the assumption that his international career had effectively come to an end.

Under the guidance of Didier Deschamps, France will seek to reclaim the world champion crown in North America with figures such as Kylian Mbappe as central pillars, and Benzema has expressed his readiness to contribute to that mission.

Benzema Has Only Appeared in One World Cup

Throughout his international career, Karim Benzema has appeared in only one World Cup edition, namely the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

He was not selected by Raymond Domenech for the 2010 World Cup and was subsequently excluded again during France’s successful 2018 campaign.

At that time, the impact of the video recording scandal involving Mathieu Valbuena led to his continued absence from the national team.

When he was finally recalled in 2021 under the leadership of Didier Deschamps, his return did not last long.

Benzema traveled to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup but suffered an injury during his first training session.

He then left the training camp in circumstances that raised numerous questions.
Although he never officially announced his retirement from the national team, his absence since then has led many observers to assume that his opportunity had quietly closed.

The Door to Les Bleus Remains Open

However, in an interview with L’Equipe, Benzema emphasized that the perception of him rejecting France is not accurate.

He stressed that decisions in football should be based on objectives rather than political considerations.

He stated that he is a footballer who will play when called upon. According to him, he has clear targets, loves football, and remains hungry for victories and trophies.

While he is at his club, his focus is on fulfilling his responsibilities there, but if he receives a call from the national team, he will come to play football without bringing anything else into the situation.

Benzema also underlined that refusing the opportunity to play in a World Cup would not make sense to him.

He explained that the real question concerns the purpose of his presence with the France national team, because speaking about the World Cup means speaking about the highest stage, which cannot be rejected by a player.

Benzema’s Future with Al Ittihad Remains Uncertain

While his future with the national team remains unclear, Benzema’s situation at club level is also under scrutiny.

He left Madrid for Jeddah in the summer of 2023 to begin an ambitious three-year project with Al Ittihad, and the impact was immediate.

Last season, he led the club to a domestic double in the Saudi Pro League and the King Cup, scoring 25 goals in all competitions and emerging as one of the key figures in the league’s global development.

His productivity has remained consistent with his final years at the Santiago Bernabeu, reflecting sustained physical condition and reliability.

However, his contract has now entered its final six months, intensifying speculation regarding his next move.

Benzema stated that he is fully focused on football, both for the remainder of his current contract and for the possibility of an extension, while leaving detailed discussions about his future to the relevant parties.

The Possibility of a Return to Europe Remains Open

Previously, Benzema revealed that he still regularly watches Real Madrid matches and that the atmosphere of the Champions League continues to inspire admiration within him.

That feeling keeps all possibilities open, including a potential return to Europe.
He also acknowledged interest from several European clubs.

For Benzema, the most important factor is choosing a place where he can continue to compete at the highest level and feel valued.

He believes that the quality of football in the Saudi Arabian league continues to improve year after year, including during his time there.

Although he feels comfortable and receives full support, he emphasized that he will consider all options carefully.

He rejected the notion that he will stop playing or stop competing in the near future, reaffirming that his desire to continue fighting on the pitch remains very strong.