France face a major defensive blow ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Arsenal centre-back William Saliba suffered an injury that casts serious doubt over his participation in the tournament.
According to French media reports, the nature of the injury has not yet been disclosed, but the initial outlook is far from encouraging for Les Bleus.
Saliba Played Through Pain in the Champions League Final
The 25-year-old had been experiencing discomfort in the lead-up to the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, yet chose to push through it and played the full 120 minutes of the match. That decision appears to have worsened his condition significantly, with early indications suggesting he will require several weeks of recovery before being able to return to action.
Saliba is set to undergo further medical examinations in the coming hours, and the mood within the French camp is reportedly pessimistic about his chances of being fit in time for the World Cup.
France Still Have Defensive Cover if Saliba Misses Out
While losing Saliba would be a considerable blow given his status as one of Europe’s finest defenders, coach Didier Deschamps does have quality alternatives available in his squad. Lucas Hernández, Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano, and Maxence Lacroix are all options capable of filling in at centre-back. Deschamps also retains the possibility of calling up an additional defensive reinforcement should Saliba’s absence be officially confirmed before the tournament begins.
Saliba has been a key figure for France since making his international debut in 2022, earning 31 caps and featuring in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
