France 'very doubtful' to have Arsenal defender in World Cup camp

France are set to go into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the bigger contenders, given their squad quality and previous success in the latter stages of the competition. In the last two iterations of the global spectacle, France has appeared in the final, while making it to the quarter-finals in 2014, with their last group stage elimination coming in 2010.

Their front line consists of Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, as well as superstars Kylian Mbappe, Kichael Olise, Bradley Barcola, and Rayan Cherki, with their back line consisting of the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, and Jules Kounde. However, another one of their defensive anchors could miss out on the camp: William Saliba.

Saliba's potential exit from the camp

As reported by ESPN, Saliba is “very doubtful” to partake in the tournament due to an injury to his back that he suffered recently.

“William Saliba is very doubtful for the World Cup after injuring his back a few weeks ago, sources told ESPN,” states the report. “The 25-year-old will undergo scans on Monday to discover the seriousness of his injury but the fear is that he will need a lengthy time to rest and for treatment, and will miss the World Cup with France.”

The potential absence isn’t only a blow for Les Bleus, but for Saliba himself, as it would be his second time being named to the team for the World Cup, having made the camp in 2022, appearing in one game.

All of this comes after what was a productive season for the Frenchman, appearing in 50 games for Arsenal, helping them be crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years, as well as runners-up in the Champions League, their first finals appearance since 2006.

If Saliba is to be out of the camp, it’s not known who Didier Deschamps is to call up to fill the spot, but it will be something to keep an eye out for in the coming weeks ahead of France’s first match of the World Cup, which comes against Senegal on June 16.

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