What happened: William Saliba has confirmed he is playing through a back problem that has bothered him for several months, saying he is "not at 100%" while on World Cup duty with France. The Arsenal defender started France's opener against Senegal after missing the first two training sessions in Boston, easing fears the issue could derail his tournament. He declined to detail what the injury limits, citing competitive reasons.

Why it matters: Saliba is central to both France's title bid and Arsenal's defense, so an unresolved back issue carries weight for club and country. With surgery reportedly on the table once the tournament ends, the timeline could shadow Arsenal's preparation for the 2026-27 campaign. France's medical staff have downplayed the severity, but managing a key center-back through a major tournament is a delicate balance.

What to watch: Watch how France manage Saliba's minutes through the group stage and whether the post-tournament surgery option becomes firm. His availability for the start of Arsenal's season is the key follow-on question.