Overview
- Didier Deschamps said Wednesday that William Saliba is "fine," would have been available if needed and will be placed on a managed programme to protect his back.
- Saliba played the full 120 minutes in last weekend's Champions League final for Arsenal and reported back pain at the end of a heavy 2025–26 club season.
- France's staff confirmed Saliba will not play in the friendly against Ivory Coast and will be medically monitored with a view to limited minutes in the second warm-up against Northern Ireland.
- Deschamps said he will rotate the six France players who took part in the Champions League final to spread workload and reduce injury risk ahead of the tournament.
- With FIFA allowing injury replacements up to 24 hours before a team's first match, France are managing players now while Deschamps finalises his likely starting lineup for the June 16 opener.