France defender William Saliba has revealed he is managing an ongoing back problem during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, admitting he has been “gritting his teeth” for months as he continues to play through discomfort.
The 25-year-old centre-back, who played a key role in Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign last season, said the issue has been present for some time but has not prevented him from representing his country on football’s biggest stage.
Speaking ahead of France’s Group I clash against Iraq, Saliba explained that he has been dealing with minor physical problems since the end of the club season.
“I’ve had some minor niggles for several months. I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well,” he said.
France’s medical staff have placed Saliba on a personalised training programme to help manage the problem and reduce the strain on his back while ensuring he remains available for matches.
Despite not being fully fit, the defender produced a solid display in France’s opening victory over Senegal and remains an important figure in Didier Deschamps‘ plans as Les Bleus pursue a third World Cup title.
Saliba acknowledged the physical demands placed on players during major tournaments but insisted representing France at a World Cup leaves little room for hesitation.
“The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth,” he added.
France face Iraq in Philadelphia before concluding their group-stage campaign against Norway, with qualification for the knockout rounds firmly within reach.
While his fitness will continue to be monitored throughout the tournament, Saliba stressed that injuries cannot be used as an excuse at this stage of the competition.
“I’m not at 100 per cent, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100 per cent either – you can’t make excuses,” he said.
France’s coaching staff are expected to continue carefully managing workloads as the tournament progresses, with Saliba’s condition likely to remain a key talking point as the competition enters its decisive stages.
