France coach Didier Deschamps has eased concerns over William Saliba’s fitness ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the defender is fit despite recent reports of a back injury.
Saliba joined the France camp near Paris on Tuesday after helping Arsenal reach the UEFA Champions League final. Arsenal lost the final to Paris Saint Germain last weekend.
France will take on Ivory Coast in a World Cup warm up match in Nantes on Thursday. Deschamps said Saliba’s workload will be managed carefully, but there is no major concern over his condition.
“William is fine and will be managed. If he had needed to play tomorrow, he would have played,” Deschamps said.
The France coach also confirmed he will rotate his squad during the upcoming friendlies. Les Bleus will face Northern Ireland in Lille next Monday before turning their full focus to the World Cup.
Several Paris Saint Germain players are also being monitored after their Champions League success. Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue are among the players Deschamps plans to manage carefully.
“I will manage the six players involved in the Champions League, even more so those who started, given what lies ahead,” he said.
Deschamps also backed captain Kylian Mbappe, saying the forward is in excellent condition ahead of the tournament.
Mbappe endured another trophyless season with Real Madrid despite scoring goals regularly. His commitment was questioned by some after he went on holiday while recovering from a hamstring injury near the end of the season.
Deschamps dismissed those concerns and stressed that Mbappe remains fully focused on the national team.
“What happened at club level stays at club level. Here, it’s the national team. With the group and those who were there for the first sessions, he has put in the effort,” he said.
“He has experience that others don’t. It will be his third World Cup. He knows how difficult a World Cup is.”
The upcoming tournament will also be Deschamps’ final World Cup as France coach, with the long serving manager set to leave his role after the competition.
