World Cup preparations are rarely smooth, and for France, a nagging concern around one of their defensive pillars has been quietly building. William Saliba, the Arsenal center-back who has become a cornerstone of Didier Deschamps’ backline, returned to full team training on Sunday in Boston. That’s welcome news for a squad that opens its tournament Tuesday against Senegal — but the relief comes with a catch.
Saliba missed Thursday and Friday sessions while managing lower back pain, a problem that first raised alarm bells before the team even left for the United States. At one point, there was legitimate fear that the 25-year-old’s World Cup could be in jeopardy. Those worst-case scenarios have been walked back by Deschamps and the French medical staff, who have consistently played down the severity. Still, according to reports, the issue isn’t going away — and a post-tournament surgical procedure is being discussed as a real possibility.
Back Pain, Bigger Picture
This isn’t a routine knock. Saliba has been managing the discomfort for weeks, and the team has taken a cautious approach since landing in Boston. He didn’t train with the first-team group upon arrival. Sunday marked his first full session on American soil, and the timing is tight. France has just one more practice before facing Senegal in their Group stage opener.
L’Équipe confirmed that all 26 players on the World Cup roster participated in Sunday’s workout. That’s the first time the full squad has been together since arriving in the U.S., and it signals that Saliba is at least fit enough to be part of the immediate match-day plans. Whether he starts against Senegal remains an open question — Deschamps has options, but Saliba’s form with Arsenal this season made him a near-automatic pick before the back issue surfaced.
The Surgical Question
What hangs over this entire situation is the prospect of surgery. Medical staff have indicated that the back problem is something Saliba can play through — with careful management — but not something that will simply heal on its own during the tournament. A procedure after the World Cup would likely mean a significant recovery period, potentially affecting the start of Arsenal’s Premier League season in August.
For now, the priority is clear: get through the tournament. France is chasing a second World Cup title in three editions, and Saliba’s presence in the heart of the defense could be decisive. The back issue is a variable that Deschamps will have to monitor day by day, but Sunday’s session was a step in the right direction.
The bigger question might be what comes after. Arsenal fans — and Mikel Arteta — will be watching closely. A post-World Cup surgery would ripple into club plans for the 2026-27 campaign. But with the opening whistle against Senegal less than 48 hours away, all eyes are on Tuesday night in Boston.
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