William Saliba has been experiencing back pain in recent weeks. | Photo Credit: AP

France defender William Saliba ​will not take part in ‌team training at the ​World Cup ⁠on Friday and will follow an individual programme, the ‌French Football Federation (FFF) said.

Saliba has been experiencing ‌back pain in ‌recent ⁠weeks following a ⁠long season with Arsenal, who won the Premier League title ​and reached ‌the Champions League final. France coach Didier Deschamps had said recently ‌the player would be ​fit for the World Cup.

“William Saliba will ⁠not take part in the day’s team ‌training. Theo Hernandez is also rested as a precaution as is Aurelien Tchouameni,” the FFF said in a ‌statement.

France, who won the title ​in 2018 and reached the final four ⁠years later, kicks off ⁠its Group I matches against Senegal on ‌Tuesday before facing Iraq and Norway. 

Published on Jun 13, 2026