William Saliba faces a race against time to be fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after aggravating a pre-existing injury during Arsenal's Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.

The 25-year-old centre-back played the full 120 minutes of the dramatic Budapest showpiece at the Puskas Arena, which ended 1-1 after extra time before PSG claimed the trophy on penalties. Gabriel Magalhaes missed the decisive kick, sending his effort over the crossbar to end Arsenal's hopes of a maiden European crown.

Saliba played through the pain

French outlet Foot Mercato, as cited by Football London, reports that Saliba had entered the final carrying a minor injury — one that worsened significantly over the course of the match. The extent of the setback now casts serious doubt over his availability for the World Cup in North America, which kicks off on Thursday, June 11.

It was a bittersweet season for Saliba regardless. He was one of Arsenal's defensive pillars throughout a remarkable campaign, starting 50 matches as Mikel Arteta's side claimed the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years and reached the finals of both the Carabao Cup and the Champions League.

A blow for France ahead of Senegal opener

The injury could not have come at a worse moment for the French national team. Saliba had established himself as manager Didier Deschamps' first-choice centre-back, forming the heart of France's defence alongside Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano.

France open their World Cup campaign against Senegal on Tuesday, June 16, and Deschamps may be forced to rethink his central defensive partnership — at least in the early stages of the tournament — should Saliba fail to recover in time.