‘He’s here, everything is fine’ – Didier Deschamps on William Saliba injury ahead of World Cup | OneFootball

France manager Didier Deschamps has sought to ease concerns over the fitness of Arsenal defender William Saliba ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A report from Foot Mercato emerged on Monday suggesting that Saliba had undergone medical examinations after suffering a back problem during Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. The 25-year-old is nevertheless expected to join up with the France squad at Clairefontaine on Tuesday as preparations for the tournament begin.“He’s here, everything is fine,” said the France boss, according to comments relayed by La Dépêche du Midi. Deschamps also claimed that he had “read nothing” regarding reports questioning Saliba’s fitness.As reported earlier, Saliba is suffering from back pain, but the results of the tests he undertook are not as worrying as first feared.

France open their tournament against Senegal on 16 June before facing Iraq and Norway in the group stage. The extent of Saliba’s issue remains unclear, but Deschamps’ comments suggest there is currently little concern within the French camp, for the moment.GFFN | George Boxall