World Cup alarm over Saliba
In France they confirmed he aggravated an injury he was already carrying during the final against PSG.
William Saliba’s participation in the upcoming World Cup is more uncertain than ever after a recurrence of an injury he carried into the Champions League final, where he started, and which could now rule him out of the tournament. According to Foot Mercato, the defender is currently sidelined, and those close to him fear the issue could prevent him from travelling to the United States.
If confirmed, his absence would be a major blow for the World Cup runners-up. Saliba is an undisputed starter for Didier Deschamps and has enjoyed an outstanding season, winning the Premier League with Arsenal and coming close to lifting his first Champions League trophy. In the final, he produced a strong performance against PSG but played through pain for the full 120 minutes.
Because he had already been managed cautiously, the issue appears to have worsened. He is due to undergo tests in the coming hours at Clairefontaine, the French national team’s training centre, which will be decisive in determining the extent of the injury.
Saliba was expected to start at the tournament. If his absence is confirmed, Deschamps will be forced to replace him with another centre-back or potentially a midfielder. It would be a major setback for Les Bleus and for the player, who had arrived at what seemed the best moment of his career.
🚨EXCL: 🔴⚪️🇫🇷 #PL |
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) June 1, 2026
❗️William Saliba pourrait être absent plusieurs semaines.
🩺 Déjà diminué avant la rencontre face au PSG, William Saliba a aggravé sa blessure durant le match.
🏥 Le français souffre toujours et son état suscite une réelle inquiétude au sein de la FFF à… pic.twitter.com/Cy0gHDTMWI
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