France handed major injury boost ahead of World Cup opener against Senegal

France handed major injury boost ahead of World Cup opener against Senegal

France have been buoyed by the return of centre back William Saliba to first team training.

Didier Deschamps’ side head into the World Cup as one of, if not the, favourite to lift the trophy on July 19th.

First, they’ll be looking to beat Senegal in their first game, the nation that famously beat them 1-0 in their opening match at the 2002 World Cup.

Per journalist Fabrice Hawkins, they’ve been handed a major injury boost with Arsenal centre back Saliba returning to first team training.

The 25-year-old had missed the previous two days with a persistent back issue that has been bothering for much of the second half of 2025-26.

He had managed to play the first 45 minutes of their 3-1 friendly win over Northern Ireland before being replaced by Maxence Lacroix at half time.