SOCCER: Saliba ruled out of France squad, Lacroix called up as replacement

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

Arsenal's Saliba played the full 90 minutes in Sunday’s 2-0 League Cup final defeat to Manchester City, 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," the FFF said in a statement.

"National coach Didier Deschamps has decided to replace him with Maxence Lacroix," it added.

The 25-year-old Crystal Palace defender earned his first call-up to the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He has played 43 games in all competitions this season.

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

France is set to face Brazil in Boston on March 26 before taking on Colombia in Washington on March 29. The 2022 World Cup runners-up are in Group I of this year’s tournament alongside Senegal, Norway, and a winner from the inter-confederation playoffs.

-Reporting by Mohamed Yossry; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters