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France Keeps Saliba for World Cup Despite Back Pain

6/3/2026

Summary

Saliba Monitored

France will monitor Arsenal defender William Saliba’s fitness after he required treatment during time of Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain when his back pain flared.
L’Equipe says a World Cup withdrawal is not being considered despite ESPN’s doubt, with Saliba due at Clairefontaine today.
He played 50 of Arsenal’s 63 matches this season, helping end a 22-year League title wait, and will join France’s group stage starting 16 June versus Senegal.

Summary

Saliba Return Unclear

Saliba's return date remains unclear and could be delayed if France reaches later World Cup stages.
France will play Ivory Coast on Thursday and Northern Ireland on Monday in pre-World Cup friendlies.
Saliba will join his French teammates at a training camp on Tuesday for initial medical checks.
Arsenal hope to have him back for pre-season training later in the year and will monitor his recovery throughout the summer.

Summary

Saliba Surgery

Arsenal confirmed defender William Saliba will have back surgery after the World Cup, likely at summer’s end.
The club warned the operation could make him miss the start of Arsenal’s 2026-27 season, although France’s medical staff cleared him for tournament.
In the U.S., the World Cup will air 21 matches on FOX and 19 on FS1, with the June 11 Mexico-South Africa opener and June 12 USA-Paraguay game streaming free on Tubi.

History

Historical Context

France’s first World Cup triumph on 12 July 1998, a 3-0 victory over Brazil before 80,000 at the Stade de France, underscored defender Marcel Desailly’s crucial role and his later suspension, showing how player fitness can sway outcomes; today defender William Saliba’s back surgery after the pre-tournament camp revives that same caution for French medical staff.

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Saliba Monitored

France will monitor Arsenal defender William Saliba’s fitness after he required treatment during time of Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain when his back pain flared.
L’Equipe says a World Cup withdrawal is not being considered despite ESPN’s doubt, with Saliba due at Clairefontaine today.
He played 50 of Arsenal’s 63 matches this season, helping end a 22-year League title wait, and will join France’s group stage starting 16 June versus Senegal.

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