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France head coach Didier Deschamps has expressed confidence that William Saliba’s ongoing back pain will not hinder his performance ahead of their World Cup round of 32 encounter against Sweden. The Arsenal centre-back, who admitted he is currently not operating at full fitness, has skipped several training sessions to manage the problem. Despite that, Deschamps believes Saliba remains fully equipped to marshal Les Bleus’ defence in New York.

During a press briefing in New York, Deschamps addressed concerns about the defender’s condition following his absence from the final group stage match against Norway. Saliba had earlier acknowledged that a recurring back issue was preventing him from playing at full capacity.

However, Deschamps offered assurance that the situation was under control ahead of Tuesday’s crucial knockout match. “William is doing well,” said the France manager. “He might not be at 100 per cent, but if he’s at 99 per cent, that’s good enough. It’s not something that weakens him or stops him from playing freely as he did in our first two games.”

The French medical and technical teams have introduced a specialised recovery plan aimed at managing Saliba’s workload. This tailored approach was designed to reduce physical strain, which explains why the defender was deliberately rested for the third group-stage fixture after France secured two early victories.

Midfielder Adrien Rabiot stressed the importance of this cautious approach, underlining Saliba’s growing influence within the squad. “He is vital to our side,” Rabiot commented. “He needs to manage himself carefully and skip training sessions when necessary to recover fully. I hope he can continue following the programme, even though it’s not easy.”

Since Euro 2024, Saliba has firmly established himself as a cornerstone of Deschamps’ defence, forming a reliable partnership with Dayot Upamecano. The pair helped France secure commanding wins over Senegal (3-1) and Iraq (3-0) earlier in the tournament, reinforcing the team’s defensive solidity.

Deschamps also highlighted that Saliba’s back issue is not a new development. “This problem didn’t just appear today,” he noted. “He’s a natural defender—strong in duels, quick, and intelligent on the pitch. He brings composure and confidence to his teammates.” Saliba has been a key figure for Arsenal this season, making 50 appearances and playing a pivotal role in their Premier League title triumph.

Looking ahead, France’s coaching staff will be eager to ensure Saliba navigates the rest of the tournament without aggravating his back condition. Maintaining his fitness level close to that 99 per cent mark will be crucial. The Arsenal defender is expected to return to the starting lineup against Sweden in the round of 32. If France advance, they are set to face Paraguay in the last 16, after the South American side’s surprise elimination of Germany.