Arsenal star William Saliba has suffered an injury in the Champions League final and could now miss the World Cup, according to Foot Mercato.
The Gunners saw the curtain come down on their excellent season with a penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday night as they continue to search for their first-ever Champions League title win, but they did end a 22-year wait for the Premier League title, finishing seven points ahead of Man City.
The north London club are looking ahead to next season now, while a number of their top stars prepare to represent their country at this summer's World Cup tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. But now one star could be forced to miss out.
Saliba Could Miss World Cup After Injury vs PSG
William Saliba of Arsenal on the ball
William Saliba of Arsenal during the Premier League match Everton vs Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 20th December 2025 (Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images)
According to a report by journalist Santi Aouna, William Saliba is now a genuine doubt for the World Cup tournament after suffering an injury during the defeat to the French side.
Saliba was already carrying a knock, but battled through the pain to start and complete 120 minutes in the final, turning in another top performance along the way. But it's now understood that his injury situation was made worse as a result.
The 25-year-old was named in Didier Deschamps' final 26-man France squad, and is expected to be one of the starting central defenders alongside Dayot Upamecano, with outgoing Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate battling them for a spot.
However, Saliba's injury situation could see him sidelined for 'several weeks', and there is now real worry within the French FA and coaching setup that he could be unavailable for the tournament, which is due to start in just ten days.
Maxence Lacroix, Lucas Hernandez, and Jules Kounde are also capable of playing at centre-back for France, but Saliba is regarded as one of the best in the world, and it would be a huge blow for France should he miss out.
Saliba Missing World Cup Would be Cruel
William Saliba
Saliba has grown into one of the very best defenders in the world in recent years, forming a formidable defensive partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at the Emirates Stadium to help them become the force they are today.
He is clearly ready to step up into a key role for the national team too, having earned 31 caps up to this point, and in what would be his first World Cup, he is entering in peak form.
But this injury, picked up in the pursuit of greatness for his club side, is obviously not something that can be easily shaken off, and there is now a real possibility that he is unable to play for his nation on the biggest stage of them all.
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