The versatile forward was expected to enhance his burgeoning reputation in Qatar as part of the Les Bleus squad looking to defend the title they won four years ago in Russia.
Didier Deschamps suffered a major blow earlier this week, however, when the 25-year-old sustained an injury during a training session and was ruled out of the tournament which begins on Sunday with hosts Qatar facing Ecuador.
Chelsea had hoped to secure a deal for Nkunku prior to the World Cup starting but that looks unlikely to happen given the severity of the injury.
‘Christo Nkunku tore the LCL in his left knee whilst training with the French national team on 15th November in Paris,’ Leipzig confirmed in a statement on Saturday.
‘It’s not yet clear how long he will be out for. We will provide Christo with the best support so that he can return as soon as possible.’
Last month it was reported that Nkunku underwent a medical in Frankfurt in the closing stages of the summer transfer window after reaching an initial agreement with Chelsea.
According to Bild, Chelsea had been finalising the transfer with Leipzig and the Premier League club expected Nkunku to sign a five-year contract.
Bild also claimed that Chelsea have retained their interest in Nkunku’s RB Leipzig teammate Josko Gvardiol.
Chelsea failed with an attempt to sign the Croatia international in the closing stages of the summer window having offered RB Leipzig a deal worth up to €80m (£69.2m).
The Premier League club will make another attempt to sign Gvardiol at the end of the season.
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