World Cup Story Feed / 世界杯事情流
World Cup Story Feed / 世界杯事情流
June 20, Boston, France national team training camp press conference. A journalist asks William Saliba: What movements will aggravate your back injury?
On June 20, in Boston, at the French national team training camp press conference, a reporter asked William Saliba: "Which actions could aggravate your back injury?"
He refused to answer, citing the reason that it could disclose information to the opponent.
This response itself is more telling than any diagnostic report. A player shielding details of his injury during the World Cup—he's not afraid of the reporters; he fears that the opposing forward, after watching the press conference, might find an extra avenue to challenge him.
France has played two World Cup group stage matches, conceding zero goals. But their starting centre-back admitted, "I am not at 100% physical condition." A defence line with clean sheets, but a spine at seventy percent—this contrast reveals the entire hand of France's backline.
Turning back the clock. On May 30, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, the Champions League final. PSG drew 1-1 with Arsenal and won 4-3 on penalties, defending their title. Saliba aggravated his back injury in this final. Just 12 days earlier, Arsenal beat Burnley 1-0 at home, securing their first Premier League title in 22 years with a match to spare. The joy of the title hadn't even cooled before he pushed his body further in the Champions League final. In the 2025-26 season, Saliba played 50 matches across all competitions. After playing 50 matches, he went to the Champions League final; after the final, he reported to the national team. That back had long been overworked.
In early June, Deschamps shielded him at a press conference: "Saliba is training with the team and performing well, which is good news for the French team." The manager's words were meticulously measured. Then, Saliba played the full 90 minutes in both the match against Senegal on June 16 and against Iraq on June 22, partnering with Upamecano in central defence. Each played 180 minutes. Against Senegal, France had 53.4% possession, 11 shots to 6, 8 on target to 2, winning 3-1. Against Iraq, it was more decisive—19 shots to 4, 5 on target to 0, blanking them 3-0, with the match delayed over two hours due to a thunderstorm, yet France still gave the opponent no chance. 180 minutes without conceding a goal—the defensive stats were flawless.
The premise is: can that back hold up?
On June 23, Deschamps' mother, Ginette Deschamps, passed away. Deschamps received permission from FFF President Philippe Diallo to return to France. On June 26 against Norway, with the manager absent, assistant coach Guy Stéphan took charge on the touchline. Saliba was also absent—Stéphan confirmed in a press conference on the 25th that he would be rested and not play. The manager and defensive core both absent from the same match. Two missing lines intersected in the 90 minutes in Boston.
Who would replace him? Stéphan gave a hint: Lacroix. The 25-year-old Crystal Palace centre-back, valued at around €50 million, was only called up to the senior French team for the first time in March 2026. The key detail wasn't about fame, but the warm-up order—in the pre-match warm-ups for the first two World Cup games, Lacroix always finished his warm-up earlier than Konaté. The coaching staff's choice of who goes first is written in the order of the warm-up. Liverpool's Konaté sat on the bench; Crystal Palace's Lacroix was on the sidelines in a bib. France's substitution priority was the exact opposite of what outsiders guessed.
But the real concern wasn't the Norway match. France had already secured advancement to the Round of 16; this rest was a management measure, not a sign of crisis. The real pressure lies in the knockout rounds, and on the operating table.
According to L'Équipe, Arsenal are assessing the possibility of Saliba undergoing back surgery after the World Cup. This means that for every round France advances in the World Cup, Saliba's back endures another 90 or even 120 minutes of high-intensity combat. The recovery period from surgery could reportedly affect preparations for the start of the 2026-27 season. The interests of the club and the national team are torn apart by this injured back—Arsenal wants him healthy for next season; France wants him to grit his teeth and play until the final. With each additional knockout match, this conflict deepens.
Saliba doesn't talk about these things. He refused to reveal the details of his injury, repeatedly insisting at the press conference: "This cannot be an excuse." A centre-back who is not 100%, playing through a 120-minute knockout match—what would happen? He knows it well, and Deschamps knows it too.
For every step further France advances, the answer comes one step closer.