William Saliba’s fitness has become one of the most watched storylines in France’s World Cup preparation camp in Boston. The 25-year-old Arsenal center-back has been dealing with a back problem that first surfaced after the Champions League final on May 28, 2026, and his availability for the tournament matters enormously to Didier Deschamps’ defensive plans.
Saliba missed two consecutive training sessions with the full squad as of June 12, 2026. Instead of joining teammates on the pitch, he was working through individualized sessions alongside Adrien Rabiot and Theo Hernandez.
What we know about Saliba’s condition
The back issue isn’t new. It flared up in the aftermath of that Champions League final at the end of May, and it has lingered long enough to keep Saliba out of full team training during France’s pre-World Cup camp in Boston.
Deschamps has indicated that Saliba remains under medical supervision but is still on track for World Cup selection.
