Didier Deschamps Confident William Saliba Will Play Despite Back Pain in France's World Cup Clash

France coach Didier Deschamps remains confident that defender William Saliba will be ready for their World Cup round of 32 match against Sweden, even though the Arsenal centre-back has missed some training sessions due to persistent back pain.

Saliba admitted he is not at full fitness and had to skip some practice sessions to handle his ongoing back issue. Nevertheless, Deschamps believes the 22-year-old is still prepared to lead the defence for Les Bleus in New York.

Deschamps Downplays Injury Concerns

During a press conference in New York, Deschamps clarified Saliba’s condition after the defender missed France’s last group match against Norway. The coach acknowledged the back problem but assured fans that it won’t stop Saliba from playing freely.

“William is doing well. Is he at 100 percent? No, but if he's at 99 percent, that’s enough. It doesn’t prevent him from performing as he did in the first two matches,” Deschamps explained.

Careful Management by Medical Team

France’s medical staff have tailored a recovery plan to ease Saliba’s physical load. This strategy explains why he was rested during the third group fixture once qualification was secured early.

Adrien Rabiot stressed how critical Saliba is to the squad and highlighted the importance of this cautious approach.

“He is essential to our team. He has to manage his workload and even skip training sessions to recover. I hope he can maintain this pace because it’s not easy,” Rabiot said.

Saliba’s Defensive Importance

Since Euro 2024, Saliba has become a cornerstone in Deschamps’ lineup, partnering with Dayot Upamecano at the heart of the defence. Their solidity helped France claim convincing wins over Senegal (3-1) and Iraq (3-0) earlier in the tournament.

The coach praised Saliba’s qualities, mentioning that the back injury isn’t new.

“This issue isn’t recent. He is a real defender—strong in duels, quick, intelligent, and a calming presence for his teammates,” Deschamps said.

Saliba played a major role for Arsenal this season, making 50 appearances and helping them secure the Premier League title.

Looking Ahead

France’s staff hope Saliba can maintain his fitness level around 99 percent through the rest of the competition without worsening his back injury. He is expected to start against Sweden in the knockout stage. Should France advance, their next opponent would be Paraguay, who surprisingly knocked out Germany in the round of 32.