• •William Saliba is currently considered doubtful for the 2026 World Cup squad due to an unspecified injury, according to ESPN.
• •The defender has been a central component of France's backline under Didier Deschamps during recent qualification cycles.
• •The official severity of the injury and a firm recovery timeline remain unconfirmed by the French Football Federation.

William Saliba is reportedly facing significant fitness concerns that put his participation in the 2026 World Cup in doubt. As a cornerstone of the French defense, Saliba’s absence would force manager Didier Deschamps to reconfigure a backline that has relied on his consistency throughout the qualifying phase. However, the exact nature of the injury remains unclear, and official medical reports have not yet established a return date. Whether France can maintain their status as tournament favorites without one of their primary defensive assets depends on how the coaching staff manages the rotation during the final squad selection.