Here is the latest injury update for William Saliba as France prepare for the 3rd place fixture against England at the 2026 World Cup.
Arsenal could be without one of their most important players for the opening months of the 2026/27 season, with reports suggesting defender William Saliba is set to undergo surgery for a persistent back injury.
According to French outlet L’Équipe, the France international has been dealing with chronic back pain for several months, with the issue reportedly worsening during France’s 2-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final.
Saliba was forced off after just 30 minutes of the match after appearing to struggle with the injury. The report claims the 25-year-old told teammate Dayot Upamecano, “I can’t take it anymore, my back is broken,” shortly before being substituted.
William Saliba could undergo surgery
The report states that Saliba will undergo further medical examinations before a final decision is made on the best course of treatment. However, surgery is currently considered the most likely option.
If the operation is approved, the Arsenal centre-back is expected to face a recovery period of between four and five months, ruling him out for a significant portion of the first half of the season.
Neither Arsenal nor the French Football Federation has officially confirmed the severity of the injury or whether surgery has been scheduled.
Major blow for Arsenal
A lengthy absence for Saliba would be a significant setback for Mikel Arteta’s side as they prepare to defend their Premier League title and compete in the UEFA Champions League.
The French defender played a crucial role in Arsenal’s title-winning campaign last season, forming one of the league’s strongest defensive partnerships and establishing himself as one of Europe’s elite centre-backs.
His potential absence would leave Arsenal without their first-choice central defender for several months, increasing the importance of the club’s defensive depth and potentially influencing their transfer plans before the summer window closes.
When could William Saliba return?
Should Saliba undergo surgery in the coming days, he is expected to be sidelined for approximately four to five months. That timeline could see him return toward the end of 2026, depending on how his rehabilitation progresses.
For now, Arsenal are awaiting the outcome of further medical assessments before making an official announcement on the defender’s condition. Until then, the club will hope one of their most influential players can make a full recovery as quickly as possible.