Just as France national team manager Didier Deschamps was finalizing his plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Les Bleus have been dealt a major blow, as first-choice center-back William Saliba is now in serious doubt for the tournament, with the opening match against Senegal just 15 days away.
Saliba played the full 120 minutes of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. However, the defender was already carrying a minor, unspecified injury heading into the match, and the physical demands of playing the entire contest appear to have worsened the issue significantly.
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According to Santi Aouna of Foot Mercato, the 25-year-old aggravated the injury during the Champions League final and could now be sidelined for several weeks. Aouna reported that the French international is still experiencing pain, and his condition is causing genuine concern within the French Football Federation just days before the start of the World Cup.
While the exact nature of Saliba's injury remains unclear, the fact that he continues to experience discomfort and could potentially miss multiple weeks is an alarming development for the French national team. Medical assessments in the coming days are expected to determine the severity of the setback and whether he has any chance of featuring early in the tournament.
Since making his senior international debut in 2022, Saliba has earned 31 caps and established himself as a cornerstone of Deschamps' defensive setup. He was widely expected to start alongside Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano at the heart of France's back line this summer, but the latest developments could force Deschamps to reconsider his plans, at least for the group stage.
Fortunately for France, the squad boasts considerable depth in defense. Ibrahima Konaté, who recently announced his departure from Liverpool, appears to be the most natural candidate to step into the starting lineup should Saliba be unavailable.
Deschamps, who is overseeing his final tournament with France before stepping down after the World Cup, could also turn to Maxence Lacroix, Lucas Hernandez, or Jules Koundé for increased minutes. However, replacing Saliba's influence and defensive presence will be no easy task, and France's back line will need to step up until the Arsenal star is fit enough to return.
France will begin their preparations with a friendly against the Ivory Coast on Thursday before facing Senegal in their World Cup opener on June 16. Drawn into Group I, Les Bleus will then take on Iraq on June 22 and Norway on June 26 as they look to advance to the knockout stages.
