SouthernWorldwide.com – The French national football team faces a significant setback as a key defender’s participation in the upcoming World Cup is now uncertain.
Arsenal’s talented center back, William Saliba, is reportedly in serious doubt for the prestigious tournament due to a back injury sustained a few weeks prior.
Initial diagnostic scans were conducted on the 25-year-old defender on Monday. However, growing concerns suggest that Saliba may require an extended period of rest and rehabilitation, potentially ruling him out of the competition altogether, according to reports from ESPN.
Further details from Foot Mercato indicate that Saliba was already dealing with a pre-existing back issue leading up to Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Although he played the entirety of the 120 minutes in Budapest, he is believed to have aggravated the injury during the penalty shootout loss, placing his World Cup prospects in considerable jeopardy.
The potential absence of Saliba would represent a devastating blow for both the player and the French national team manager, Didier Deschamps. Saliba has just concluded a remarkable season, featuring in 50 matches and playing a pivotal role in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title, as well as their journey to the Champions League final.
Should he be declared unavailable, France will likely have to depend on their remaining defensive options. This includes players such as Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, and Dayot Upamecano, who will be tasked with solidifying the defense in Group I. Their opponents in this group are Senegal, Iraq, and Norway.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. This edition will be hosted across three different countries, with the grand finale set to be held on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
A total of 104 matches will be broadcast live across FOX and FS1. Every single match will also be available for live streaming and on-demand viewing through both the FOX One and the FOX Sports app. In a record-breaking move, 40 matches, representing more than a third of the tournament’s fixtures, will be aired during prime time across FOX and FS1.
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The opening match of the tournament, scheduled for June 11, will feature Mexico against South Africa. This game is set to stream for free on Tubi. Similarly, the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 will also be available for free streaming on Tubi.
