William Saliba ruled out of France squad, first call-up for Maxence Lacroix

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·23 March 2026

William Saliba ruled out of France squad, first call-up for Maxence Lacroix

William Saliba has withdrawn from the France squad with an ankle problem, and Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix has earned his first senior call-up.

The French Football Federation announced that Saliba is suffering from recurring pain in his left ankle and requires a minimum of 10 days’ rest, so he has been replaced by Lacroix.

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Saliba started earlier on Sunday in Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the League Cup final, and he has 31 caps.

Lacroix, who has been at Crystal Palace since 2024, has been selected by Didier Deschamps and will link up with the senior squad for the first time in his career.

He will report to Clairefontaine with the rest of the group on Monday, before travelling to the United States for friendlies against Brazil on 26 March and Colombia on 29 March.

Source: Le Progres