Saliba was excluded from the France squad for friendlies, Lacroix was called up as a replacement

Defender William Saliba has been ruled out of the France squad due to injury ahead of this month’s friendlies against Brazil and Colombia. Maxence Lacroix has been called up to replace him, the country’s football federation (FFF) said on Sunday.

Arsenal’s Saliba played the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in Sunday’s League Cup final before the FFF announced his injury.

“The Arsenal centre-back is suffering from recurring pain in his left ankle, requiring treatment and a minimum rest period of 10 days,” a statement said.

“National coach Didier Deschamps has decided to replace him with Maxence Lacroix,” the ⁠FFF added.

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The 25-year-old Crystal Palace defender has earned his first call-up for France ahead of the 2026 World Cup, making 43 appearances in all competitions this season.

Saliba was part of the expanded 27-man French squad announced by Deschamps on Thursday.

France will play Brazil on March 26 in Boston and Colombia on March 29 in Washington.

The 2022 World Cup runner-up is in Group I at this year’s tournament with Senegal and Norway and is a winner of the inter-confederation play-offs

Published on March 23, 2026