Didier Deschamps Confident in William Saliba Despite Back Injury Ahead of France vs Sweden
France coach Didier Deschamps remains confident that defender William Saliba will be ready for their World Cup round of 32 match against Sweden, despite the Arsenal player missing some training sessions due to a persistent back injury.
Saliba has openly admitted that he is not fully fit and has skipped training to manage his back pain. Still, Deschamps insists this won’t stop him from starting in New York, where the match is scheduled. "William is doing well," Deschamps said. "He may not be at 100 percent, maybe 99 percent, but that’s enough. It doesn’t stop him from playing freely as he did in the first two matches."
The French medical team has set up a specific recovery plan to help Saliba handle his workload carefully. This strategy is why he was rested for France's final group stage game after the team had already secured early wins. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot highlighted how important it is to manage Saliba’s condition properly, calling him "essential" to the squad and acknowledging the challenges of skipping training sessions to recover.
Key Defensive Presence
Saliba has become a cornerstone of France’s defense, pairing with Dayot Upamecano since Euro 2024. Their partnership helped secure solid victories over Senegal (3-1) and Iraq (3-0) during the tournament. Deschamps praised Saliba’s qualities, noting the back issue is not new but has been managed effectively. "He’s a true defender," Deschamps said. "Good in duels, quite fast, intelligent, and a calming presence for his teammates." Saliba’s strong season for Arsenal included 50 appearances and contributed to their Premier League title win.
Looking Ahead
The French staff hopes Saliba can maintain his fitness through the knockout rounds without worsening his injury. Keeping him near peak condition is vital for France’s chances. Saliba is expected to start against Sweden, and if France advance, they will face Paraguay in the round of 16, following Paraguay’s surprising elimination of Germany.
