UMVA has learned that Arsenal’s defensive stalwart William Saliba now faces a frantic race against time to secure his place in France’s World Cup squad.
The 25‑year‑old endured the full 120 minutes of a heart‑stopping Champions League final in Budapest, where Arsenal fell to Paris Saint‑Germain after a tense penalty shoot‑out. In doing so, Saliba aggravated a lingering injury that could sideline him for weeks.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the setback threatens his participation in the summer tournament, with Les Bleus set to open against Senegal in just over a fortnight.
France’s schedule is unforgiving: a second group match versus Iraq follows six days later, and the campaign concludes against Norway on June 26. Any lingering doubt could jeopardise Saliba’s chance to fight for glory on football’s biggest stage.
Despite the looming uncertainty, Saliba joined his Arsenal teammates for the celebratory open‑top bus parade on Sunday, a brief moment of triumph after the club’s long‑awaited Premier League title.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that medical staff are monitoring his recovery closely, hoping the defender can prove his fitness before Deschamps makes his final squad selections.
