William Saliba
France's first-choice centre-back at Arsenal; confirmed in Deschamps' final 2026 World Cup 26.
Last refreshed: 21 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Is Saliba the best centre-back at the 2026 World Cup?
Timeline for William Saliba
Aggravated a back injury in 120 minutes of the UCL final; reported to Clairefontaine with unresolved status
2026 FIFA World Cup: Saliba's France fitness stays an open questionMentioned in: Camavinga cut from France's final 26 as Deschamps signs off
2026 FIFA World Cup- Is William Saliba in France's 2026 World Cup squad?
- Yes. Saliba was named in Deschamps' final 26-man squad and is expected to be France's first-choice centre-back at the tournament.Source: Lowdown
- How old is William Saliba at the 2026 World Cup?
- Saliba turns 25 in March 2026, making him 24 at the start of the tournament in June.
- Why is William Saliba considered one of the best defenders in the world?
- Saliba has been named in the Premier League Team of the Year in consecutive seasons at Arsenal; his pace, aerial strength and technical quality set him apart from his peers.
Background
William Saliba is France's defensive cornerstone heading into the 2026 World Cup, confirmed in Didier Deschamps' final 26-man squad and widely expected to form the backbone of Les Bleus' rearguard throughout the tournament. His form for Arsenal, where he has been named in the Premier League Team of the Year in consecutive seasons, has made him one of the most sought-after centre-backs in European football.
Born in Bondy in 2001, Saliba came through the Saint-Étienne academy before joining Arsenal as a teenager. After loan spells at Saint-Étienne, Nice, and Marseille, he forced his way into Mikel Arteta's first team in 2022 and has not looked back since. His combination of aerial authority, reading of the game, and technical quality on the ball is considered elite even by Arsenal's high standards.
France's defence at the 2026 World Cup will be built around Saliba's certainty at the back. At just 24 years old at the tournament, he represents a generational talent who could anchor Les Bleus' back line for the next decade.
