William Saliba's World Cup Participation in Doubt Due to Injury

France faces a significant setback on its path to the World Cup as Arsenal defender William Saliba is highly doubtful to participate due to a back injury sustained a few weeks prior. The 25-year-old center back reportedly underwent initial scans on Monday, with growing concerns that he will need an extended period of rest and treatment, potentially causing him to miss the event entirely, according to ESPN.

Reports from Foot Mercato indicated that Saliba was already dealing with a back issue before Saturday's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite playing the full 120 minutes in Budapest, he reportedly aggravated the injury during the intense penalty shootout loss, jeopardizing his availability for the tournament.

The potential loss of Saliba poses a severe challenge for manager Didier Deschamps. After a standout season where he played 50 games and was instrumental in Arsenal's Premier League title run, his absence could significantly impact the team. If ruled out, France will need to rely on a defensive lineup featuring Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, and Dayot Upamecano as they prepare for Group I matches against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across three countries, culminating in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. All 104 matches will be broadcast live on FOX and FS1, with significant prime-time coverage. The opening match will begin on June 11, featuring Mexico against South Africa.