William Saliba injury update ahead of France vs England FIFA World Cup 2026 Third place play-off
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Saliba was subbed off early against Spain due to injury.
William Saliba, a 25-year-old centre-back for France and Arsenal, may not require surgery to treat his persistent back problem, according to L’Équipe.
During France’s FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final defeat to Spain in Dallas on Tuesday, the 25-year-old defender could take no more of the agony. Saliba will not participate in tonight’s match against Thomas Tuchel’s England after being forced off against La Roja.
Medical tests performed on Wednesday showed that Saliba’s ailment had not gotten worse against Spain, according to France national team manager Didier Deschamps on Friday.
William Saliba won’t undergo back surgery following injury vs Spain
L’Équipe is aware that Saliba no longer needs surgery. Early next week, Saliba and Arsenal are anticipated to make a joint decision.
But one thing is for sure: Saliba will be sidelined for a long time. If Saliba decides against surgery, a protracted recovery process would be necessary.
These worries were unfounded when Saliba started six games, including the semi-final loss to Spain. He was Didier Deschamps’ preferred centre-back pairing with Dayot Upamecano.
Deschamps quickly ruled the defender out of Saturday’s third-place playoff match against England. The player was heard saying, “My back is gone.” He went off the pitch with medical personnel.
On August 16, Mikel Arteta’s team will play Manchester City in the FA Community Shield. On August 21, they will host newly promoted Coventry City to start their Premier League championship defence.
Which injury did William Saliba suffer?
He suffered a back injury.
How long will William Saliba be out?
It hasn’t been confirmed yet.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.