Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud insists no tears should be shed over Italy and Holland failing to qualify for the World Cup.

With France in the semifinals, Giroud admits the absence of the Azzurri and Oranje has helped them.

Giroud told De Telegraaf: "It is good that the Netherlands is not here. Because it increases the chances for others, like us, to become world champion. The same applies to the Italians, which I do not want to see here either.

"Everyone has talked about those teams. Why they are not there. But in our eyes it remains two world-class football countries."

He continued: "It only gets harder for others when the Netherlands and Italy are there at a World Cup."