PARIS, June 11 — Olivier Giroud should be fit to play France’s World Cup opening game against Australia after leaving the pitch with a bloodied forehead in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against the United States, coach Didier Deschamps said.

Deschamps added that midfielder Paul Pogba, whose performances have been under-par during the warm-up matches, was also ‘very likely’ to start Les Bleus’ first game in Group C next Saturday.

They then take on Peru and Denmark.

Giroud has ‘a beautiful cut of six centimetres but he should be ready,” Deschamps told TF1 yesterday. — Reuters