Bad news for the "favorite team" as they face the latest setback, shaking their hopes of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On 2 June 2026 GMT+7, ESPN, a leading global sports media outlet, reported that the French national team, one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup, received bad news: defender William Saliba may be unable to participate in the entire tournament.
Sources indicated that William Saliba was injured during the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final last Saturday, where Arsenal drew with Paris Saint-Germain after 120 minutes and ultimately lost 3-4 on penalties.
Reports revealed that Saliba had a pre-existing injury but played the entire match before his condition worsened. A detailed scan is scheduled for today, with initial expectations suggesting he might be sidelined for at least three weeks.
If the team does not advance far in the competition, this could mean William Saliba will miss the 2026 World Cup. He has endured a heavy workload this season with Arsenal, playing 50 out of 63 matches across all competitions, helping the team secure their first English Premier League title in 22 years.
For France, a two-time World Cup champion, there are still five central defenders available: Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano, Maxence Lacroix, Jules Koundé, and Lucas Hernandez. In emergencies, Aurélien Tchouaméni could be moved from midfield to defense.
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