Didier Deschamps has eased concerns over William Saliba's fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The France head coach confirmed the 25-year-old defender will be managed during warmups after back scans showed no serious issue. Saliba played 50 of 63 matches for Arsenal this season, contributing to their Premier League title and Champions League final run.

France begins World Cup warmups against Ivory Coast on Thursday in Nantes, where Saliba won't feature, before facing Northern Ireland on June 8. The two-time world champions travel to North America for their Group I opener against Senegal on June 16, with Iraq and Norway also in the group.

Deschamps admitted he has a starting XI in mind but remains flexible. "All 26 players are in good condition," he said, noting the need to manage stars from Saturday's Champions League final. The coach faces the challenge of balancing player rotation with tournament preparation while managing expectations within the squad.