France head coach Didier Deschamps said centre-back William Saliba is fit enough for the team's World Cup warm-up matches [1].
Saliba is a critical component of the French defense. His availability ensures the squad maintains its tactical stability heading into the tournament, particularly as the team prepares for a friendly against Ivory Coast [4].
The confirmation follows a period of uncertainty regarding the defender's health. Saliba aggravated a back injury while playing for Arsenal in the Champions League final, which sparked concerns about his ability to participate in the upcoming tournament [5, 6].
Some reports suggested the injury was severe enough that Saliba could be forced to undergo back surgery immediately after the World Cup [6]. However, Deschamps addressed these fears on June 1, 2026 [1, 3].
Deschamps said Saliba is fine and will simply have his workload limited as a precaution [2]. This management strategy aims to keep the player available for the tournament while avoiding further aggravation of the back issue [2].
The French national team is currently focusing on its final preparations. By limiting Saliba's minutes during the warm-up phase, the coaching staff intends to balance his fitness requirements with the need for match sharpness before the tournament begins [4].
“William Saliba is fit enough for the team's World Cup warm-up matches”
The decision to limit Saliba's workload indicates a cautious approach by the French coaching staff to protect a key asset. While the manager has dismissed immediate surgery concerns, the mention of workload management suggests the injury remains a vulnerability that could impact the player's endurance or availability during the high-intensity matches of the World Cup.
