William Saliba will be in the France squad for this summer's World Cup and an update has emerged about the Arsenal star's fitness
06:48, 02 Jun 2026
William Saliba
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An update has emerged on William Saliba fitness
Arsenal have been handed a promising update regarding William Saliba’s injury, with renewed hope that the defender can feature at the World Cup this summer.
Saliba has been named in the France squad for this summer’s tournament, but fears emerged on Monday that the 25-year-old had picked up an injury.
Saliba played the full 120 minutes for Arsenal on Saturday in their defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, having played a key role in helping the Gunners win the Premier League title across the season.
The Arsenal defender was called up by France boss Didier Deschamps for this summer’s World Cup, but reports emerged on Monday that Saliba had picked up an injury and was in danger of missing the tournament.
Now, a fresh update has emerged on Saliba’s fitness, with the hope that the Arsenal star could still have a role to play for this country this summer.
Journalist Fabrice Hawkins has reported that Saliba has suffered a back injury, but is expected to link up with his France team-mates at a training camp on Tuesday.
The report claims that Saliba's fitness will be monitored after an initial assessment confirmed that the Arsenal defender had a back injury.
Nevertheless, it has been stated that those tests were “reassuring”, hinting that Saliba could still play an important role for France at this summer’s World Cup.
France do not have long to wait before their World Cup campaign in North America gets underway, with their first game taking place on Tuesday, June 16 against Senegal, in their Group I clash in New Jersey.
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Deschamps' side will then wait a few more days before facing Iraq in Philadelphia on Monday, June 22, before taking on Norway on Friday, June 26, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, home of the NFL team the New England Patriots.
Arsenal will be keeping a close eye on Saliba’s fitness throughout the summer, as they hope to have the defender return without injury for pre-season training later in the summer.
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A return date for Saliba is still uncertain, with the centre-back’s return to Arsenal potentially set to be delayed if France reach the latter stages of the World Cup this summer.
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