William Saliba hands France massive injury lift as Didier Deschamps issues blunt selection warning over Ousmane Dembélé

Saliba's fitness concerns dismissed

The Arsenal defender has been battling a persistent back issue, leading to reports that the

"All 26 players will be available for tomorrow's match," Deschamps told

Dembele returns to training after European glory

While Saliba manages his recovery, Dembele is set to be integrated back into the fold following a period of rest. The PSG winger was left on the bench during the recent 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast, having been granted extra time to recover from a gruelling Champions League final victory against Arsenal. Deschamps has now confirmed that the explosive attacker is in line for a starting role in the final warm-up fixture on Monday.

When asked directly if the former Barcelona man would be in the lineup, Deschamps said: "Yes, like other players. Ousmane is one of the players, like Desire (Doue), who didn't play after the final. I felt it was important for him to recover." The return of the Ballon d'Or winner's pace and trickery will be a welcome sight for a French side looking to find their rhythm.

Internal tensions over image rights

However, it is not all smooth sailing in the French camp. Reports have emerged of an

The stars are seeking clarification from the federation, with the report stating they are "unhappy that many of their images are being used in an advertising campaign for a betting company, an official partner of the FFF." While this off-field distraction looms, Deschamps will be hoping the focus remains on the pitch as the squad prepares for their final friendly match in Europe.

World Cup opener on the horizon

Everything is currently being built toward the opening fixture of the 2026 World Cup, where France will face a familiar foe in Senegal. The memories of 2002 still linger, and Deschamps is determined to avoid any such slip-ups this time around. Having Saliba fit and Dembele refreshed provides the tactical flexibility required to navigate a tricky Group I.

With the final preparations concluding in the match against Northern Ireland, the focus will then shift to maintaining the fitness of key individuals while integrating the late-arriving Champions League winners into the tactical setup. Les Bleus are once again among the favourites, and with their stars returning to the fold, the expectations in Paris are as high as ever.