A few days before the kick-off of the 2026 World Cup, bad news shakes France’s withdrawal. William Salibapillar of the transalpine rearguard, there is a serious risk of having to skip the shipment. According to what is reported in the French press, the centre-back suffered a serious physical injury during the very tense Champions League final that his Arsenal lost against PSG. Coach Didier Deschamps now finds himself dealing with a real emergency last minute for a player who had already been officially included in the squad.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – MAY 30: William Saliba of Arsenal reacts after a tackle with Désiré Doué of Paris Saint-Germain during the 2026 UEFA Champions League Final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Puskas Arena on May 30, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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The sacrifice in Paris and the conditions of the defender
The exact nature of the clinical problem has not yet been disclosed in detail, but the alarm is at maximum levels. Saliba has had an extraordinary season, being awarded the Premier League’s best defender by leading the Gunners to win the title. His immense attachment to the shirt may have set a trap for him: the twenty-five year old wanted to grit his teeth remaining on the pitch for all 120 minutes of the Paris final. A titanic effort in a final where the two teams arrived exhausted at the end. This physical effort inevitably aggravated an injury pre-existing with which the player had already been living for some time.
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Possible substitutes and FIFA regulations
While awaiting definitive instrumental tests, the French medical staff is evaluating possible alternatives so as not to be caught unprepared. If Saliba’s forfeit is confirmedthe first names on the list of replacements are those of Lukeba Castleauthor of an excellent year with RB Leipzig, e Axel Disasi of West Ham. Fortunately for Deschamps, FIFA regulations offer a way out: the rules allow the last-minute substitution of a player included in the 26. The only condition for this to happen is that the injury is officially certified before the debut match in the tournament.
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