William Saliba has been ruled out of France’s final World Cup group game against Norway due to an ongoing back injury. The Arsenal centre-back has started alongside Dayot Upamecano in both of France’s matches so far, but will not feature on Friday as a precautionary measure.
France Top Group I Despite Absences
France sit top of Group I following wins over Senegal and Iraq, level on six points with Norway but ahead on goal difference. Les Bleus will also be without head coach Didier Deschamps on the touchline, as the 57-year-old has returned to France following the death of his mother. Assistant coach Guy Stephan will lead the team.
Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix, who is close to joining Chelsea in a £48 million deal, replaces Saliba in one of four changes from the side that beat Iraq. Stephan confirmed the decision in a press conference on Thursday.
Confirmed Starting XIs
Norway XI: Selvik; Aursnes, Ostigard, Falchener, Bjorkan; Aasgaard, Berg, Thorstvedt; Oscar Bobb, Strand Larsen, Schjelderup
France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Lacroix, T.Hernandez; Kone, Tchouameni; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe
Stephan Explains Saliba and Thuram Absences
“Two players will not participate in the training session… William Saliba, who will be rested, and Marcus Thuram, who has a slight calf strain and will be rested today,” Stephan said. “William won’t be there tomorrow. We’ll have to refer to the person [Lacroix] who replaced him in the last few matches.”
Speaking last week, Saliba revealed he has been playing with the back injury since before the World Cup. “I’ve had some minor discomfort for several months,” Saliba said. “I gritted my teeth because of the Champions League and the Premier League. But the staff are managing it very well. The World Cup only comes around every four years, so you have to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100 per cent but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100 per cent either, there’s no point in making excuses.”
