June 3, 2026
French national football team players attend a training session on the eve of the friendly football match between France and Ivory-Coast ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup, in Nantes on June 3, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
France coach Didier Deschamps said on Wednesday that defender William Saliba is “fine” despite reports he was a doubt for the World Cup with a back injury.
Saliba joined the rest of his France team-mates on Tuesday at their pre-tournament camp outside of Paris after playing for Arsenal in their Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain at the weekend.
France will face Ivory Coast in Nantes in a World Cup warm-up match on Thursday, but Deschamps is expected to limit Saliba’s workload as a precaution.
