Liam Duckstein
Arsenal defender William Saliba is at risk of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup after aggravating an injury during the Champions League final. The 25-year-old completed the full 120 minutes alongside Gabriel Magalhaes as Arsenal fell to Paris Saint-Germain in a 4-3 penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
After joining Arsenal’s Premier League title parade on Sunday, Saliba was scheduled to link up with France as Les Bleus finalise their World Cup preparations. Didier Deschamps’s side face Ivory Coast in a friendly on Thursday before meeting Northern Ireland the following Monday, their final warm-up before the tournament. France then open their World Cup campaign against Senegal on June 16.
According to FootMercato, Saliba exacerbated an unspecified injury during the final and faces several weeks on the sideline. With the World Cup final scheduled for July 19, even a deep run for France may come too late for the centre-back to feature.
The exact nature of the injury remains unclear. Saliba missed the March international break with an ankle sprain and was absent for four Arsenal matches across November and December due to a separate knock. Reports indicate he was ‘gritting his teeth’ through discomfort in Budapest, making the full 120 minutes his 50th appearance of the season for Arsenal.
He logged 4,254 minutes across the 2025-26 campaign, the third-highest total among Arsenal outfielders. Only Declan Rice (4,456) and Martin Zubimendi (4,350) surpassed him.
World Cup Place and Arsenal Return: What Comes Next?
From Arsenal’s standpoint, the timing is unfortunate but manageable. A ‘several weeks’ absence points to a return in late July or early August, aligning with pre-season. The 2026-27 Premier League season kicks off on August 22, and Saliba is expected to be fit before that date.
France, for their part, retain defensive depth. Maxence Lacroix, Ibrahima Konate, and Dayot Upamecano are all available at centre-back, with Lucas Hernandez and Jules Kounde capable of covering centrally if needed.
Deschamps also has a procedural route available: under FIFA regulations, Saliba can be replaced by another player up to 24 hours before kickoff against Senegal, provided both the France team doctor and the FIFA General Medical Officer confirm that his injury rules him out of the entire competition.
Stay with TipsGG for the latest on Saliba’s fitness, France’s World Cup squad decisions, and full coverage of every match in North America 2026.