William Saliba to Miss Training Ahead of FIFA World Cup Opener

William Saliba, the French defender, will not participate in team training ahead of the FIFA World Cup opener due to back pain. Following a challenging season with Arsenal, he is on an individual recovery program. France's coach had previously indicated that Saliba would be fit for the tournament. The French squad is gearing up for their first match against Senegal on June 16, with a lineup featuring notable players like Kylian Mbappe and N'Golo Kante. Stay tuned for updates on Saliba's condition and France's performance in the tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 13, 2026, 06:53 IST

Saliba's Recovery Plan

William Saliba, the French defender, will not be joining his teammates for training as they prepare for their FIFA World Cup opener on Friday. Instead, he will be undergoing an individual recovery program due to persistent back pain, as confirmed by the French Football Federation (FFF). Saliba has been dealing with back issues in recent weeks after a demanding season with Arsenal, where they secured the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years but finished as runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the UEFA Champions League final.

France's head coach, Didier Deschamps, had previously expressed optimism about Saliba's fitness ahead of the World Cup.

FFF Statement on Player Status

According to a statement from the FFF, which was reported by various news outlets, "William Saliba will not participate in today's team training. Additionally, Theo Hernandez and Aurelien Tchouameni are also being rested as a precautionary measure."

France's Group Stage Matches

France is set to kick off their Group I campaign against Senegal on June 16, followed by matches against Iraq and Norway.

Overview of France's FIFA World Cup Squad

The squad for the FIFA World Cup includes:

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba.

Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.

Midfielders: N'Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery.

Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.