France manager Dir Deschamps has moved quickly to quash mounting concerns over William Saliba’s fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup, insisting the Arsenal defender is available despite reports suggesting he could miss several weeks with a back problem. Saliba’s status had become a source of anxiety after he played the full 120 minutes in Saturday’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, only for reports to emerge claiming his condition had deteriorated in the days that followed.
The 25 year old centre back featured throughout the penalty out loss before returning to north London for Arsenal’s Premier League trophy parade on Sunday, where he joined teammates on an open top bus in front of an estimated one million fans. Yet by Monday, French media outlet Foot Mercato had reported that Saliba was struggling with a back injury that could threaten his participation in the tournament. Such speculation would have sent shockwaves through the France camp, given Saliba’s importance to their defensive plans and the imminent start of their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Senegal.
Speaking at the national team training base at Clairefontaine on Monday, Deschamps adopted a notably relaxed tone when questioned about his defender’s condition. According to French publication La Depeche, the World Cup winning manager stated he had read nothing about any injury and confirmed that Saliba had arrived at the camp without issue. His brief but confident assessment that everything is fine appeared designed to draw a line under the speculation, though it remains unclear whether the Arsenal star is genuinely at full fitness or simply managing a minor complaint.
Saliba did undergo medical examinations on Monday as part of standard protocol, with results still pending at the time of Deschamps’ comments. RMC Sport subsequently reported that it remains to be seen whether the defender will be fit to start in France’s opening group stage fixture. Competition for places in central defence is fierce, with Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate, and Maxence Lacroix all part of the squad, while Jules Kounde offers additional versatility across the backline. Nevertheless, if fully fit, Saliba is widely expected to partner Upamecano at the heart of France’s defence throughout the tournament.
The timing of any potential injury could hardly be worse for both player and country. Saliba has emerged as one of Europe’s premier defenders over the past two seasons, anchoring an Arsenal side that finally claimed Premier League glory after years of near misses. His composure on the ball, reading of the game, and defensive solidity have made him indispensable to Mikel Arteta’s system, qualities that translate seamlessly to international football. For France, his presence offers the ideal blend of youth and experience alongside the more elished Upamecano, providing Deschamps with a formidable barrier in front of goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
As France prepare to face Senegal, Iraq, and Norway in Group I, clarity on Saliba’s condition will be essential for tactical planning and squad morale. Deschamps will hope his public confidence proves well founded and that any discomfort proves minor enough to allow his key defender to take his place when the tournament begins in just over two weeks. With 48 teams competing across 104 matches in this expanded World Cup format, depth and fitness will be tested like never before, making every available player crucial to France’s ambitions of adding to their 2018 triumph in Russia.
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