Saliba Ruled Out of France Squad, Lacroix Called up as Replacementhttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5254258-saliba-ruled-out-france-squad-lacroix-called-replacement
Saliba Ruled Out of France Squad, Lacroix Called up as Replacement
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 1, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Saliba Ruled Out of France Squad, Lacroix Called up as Replacement
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 1, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Defender William Saliba has been ruled out of France's squad due to injury ahead of this month’s friendlies against Brazil and Colombia, with Maxence Lacroix 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 by Manchester City in Sunday's League Cup final, before the FFF announced his injury.
"The Arsenal center back is suffering from recurring pain in his left ankle, requiring treatment and a minimum rest period of 10 days," it said in a statement.
"National coach Didier Deschamps has decided to replace him with Maxence Lacroix," the FFF added.
The Crystal Palace defender, 25, has earned his first France call-up, ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He has played 43 games in all competitions this season.
Saliba was among the expanded 27-man France squad announced by Deschamps on Thursday.
France will 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 at this year's tournament with Senegal, Norway and a winner from the inter-confederation playoffs.
Germany Questions Footballing Identity After Fresh World Cup Failurehttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5290486-germany-questions-footballing-identity-after-fresh-world-cup-failure
(From L) Germany's forward #19 Leroy Sane, midfielder #10 Jamal Musiala and defender #24 Malick Thiaw react after losing the penalty shootout during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026. (AFP)
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Germany Questions Footballing Identity After Fresh World Cup Failure
(From L) Germany's forward #19 Leroy Sane, midfielder #10 Jamal Musiala and defender #24 Malick Thiaw react after losing the penalty shootout during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026. (AFP)
Yet another World Cup failure has Germany questioning its footballing identity, with some calling for radical changes at all levels in the football-mad nation.
Germany's shock capitulation to Paraguay in the last 32 on Monday, their first ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat, continues the four-time champions sheer drop from the game's elite.
Germany have now been eliminated early in the past three World Cups.
Since beating Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup in 2014, Germany have not only been unable to win an elimination match at the tournament, but they have also failed to keep a clean sheet.
Calls to sack coach Julian Nagelsmann have grown, particularly with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp seemingly waiting in the wings.
Others, including Klopp himself, have demanded far more fundamental changes to the game in Germany.
- 'Drifting away from the elite' -
Even with diminished expectations after a lean decade, the German press slammed Nagelsmann's side after they fell to 41st-ranked Paraguay, a team who lost 4-1 to hosts USA in their tournament opener.
Respected Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung called the result "a new humiliation", adding the Germans were "heading home with a thoroughly deserved return ticket".
German football magazine Kicker lamented a "damning indictment and proof that Germany is drifting further and further away from the world's elite".
Once boasting club-made talents the envy of Europe, Germany's ability to produce quality players has fallen behind European rivals France, Spain and England over the past decade.
Despite being Europe's most populous nation, where football is by far the dominant sport, Germany lack depth.
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Germany v Paraguay - Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, US - June 29, 2026 A Germany fan looks dejected after the match as Germany are eliminated from the World Cup. (Reuters)
While injuries to teenage forward Lennart Karl, veteran striker Serge Gnabry and first-choice center-back Nico Schlotterbeck have hurt the Germans, other major European nations can afford to leave star players at home.
Kicker cited France's Eduardo Camavinga, Christopher Nkunku and Randal Kolo Muani, England's Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer and Spain defender Dean Huijsen as examples.
Germany's shallow talent pool ups the pressure on their few remaining world-class players to perform.
Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala all entered the tournament after challenging seasons and have been unable to reproduce their best form in North America, despite showing glimpses of their quality.
- 'Become Germany again' -
Nagelsmann has copped much of the ire.
Having taken over as coach despite reportedly being courted by Europe's top clubs, Nagelsmann's appointment was considered a coup for the German FA (DFB).
But with the 38-year-old's high point a last-eight defeat to Spain on home soil at Euro 2024, calls are growing to avoid hanging onto a manager too long after a World Cup setback, as with predecessors Joachim Loew and Hansi Flick.
Lothar Matthaeus, a World Cup winner in 1990, wrote in his Bild column that Nagelsmann lacked "imagination", adding Germany "have to move forward with a new coach".
Nagelsmann admitted "big changes" were needed but pledged to stay on, saying: "I'm not one to run away. I'm ready to continue if the DFB wants me to."
The DFB reportedly cancelled a press conference planned for Tuesday, instead promising to release a statement later in the day.
Engaged as a sideline pundit, Klopp has cast a dark shadow over Nagelsmann and the Germany dugout since the tournament began.
Before Germany's opening game, Klopp attracted criticism for joking the young coach was only in charge of the team "for now", implying Nagelsmann was only keeping the seat warm.
But on Monday, Klopp cut a far more serious figure, dismissing suggestions he should take the wheel, while calling for more fundamental changes to the game, starting at the under-10 level.
"Look at Paraguay," Klopp said over images of the South American nation's celebrations. "They're all in tears; that's how much the Round of 16 means to them."
Klopp said the Germans were too content to dine out on their golden past.
"We are Germany? No, we were Germany. To be football Germany again, we need to really change things.
"It's of course not about names. Not about mine, not about Julian's," Klopp said, adding: "Julian is right. The team wanted it, but they were unable to do it in some areas.
"And now we need to ask why is that?"
Germany Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Retires Again After Return for World Cuphttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5290475-germany-goalkeeper-manuel-neuer-retires-again-after-return-world-cup
Manuel Neuer #1 of Germany leaves the pitch after the penalty shootout loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Germany Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Retires Again After Return for World Cup
Manuel Neuer #1 of Germany leaves the pitch after the penalty shootout loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Getty Images/AFP)
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has retired from international football for the second time after the team’s early World Cup exit.
The 40-year-old Neuer, who was coaxed out of retirement just before the tournament, said in TV interviews that Monday’s surprise defeat to Paraguay would be his last international game.
“Yes,” he told broadcaster Sportschau when asked if that was it, while he told Magenta TV he would not play on. “No. It’s very bitter to end it like this.”
Germany was eliminated when it lost 4-3 to Paraguay on penalties after the teams drew 1-1 with extra time.
Neuer had already retired from international football after the 2024 European Championship and had insisted he wouldn’t return.
Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann took over at Germany’s No. 1 following injuries to Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and had played in the team’s last six qualification games, as well as pre-tournament friendlies.
Despite denials from the player and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, speculation about Neuer’s potential return continued until Nagelsmann confirmed as much by including the Bayern Munich goalkeeper in his squad for the World Cup as Germany’s No. 1, demoting Baumann.
The move didn’t pay off. Neuer saved a penalty in the shootout against Paraguay, but it wasn't enough as three German players missed their spot kicks.
Neuer, who made his Germany debut in 2009, was the sole remaining member of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad. He played 128 games for Germany.
Sweden Face France’s Attacking Firepower at the World Cuphttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5290283-sweden-face-france%E2%80%99s-attacking-firepower-world-cup
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - France Training - Bentley University, Boston, Massachusetts, US - June 27, 2026 France's Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele during training. (Reuters)
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Sweden Face France’s Attacking Firepower at the World Cup
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - France Training - Bentley University, Boston, Massachusetts, US - June 27, 2026 France's Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele during training. (Reuters)
France unleash their devastating forward line on Sweden in a last-32 tie at the World Cup on Tuesday, while Erling Haaland will try to fire Norway past the Ivory Coast and into the next round.
Co-hosts Mexico meanwhile bid to continue their journey in front of a fervent crowd at the Estadio Azteca when they take on Ecuador.
The Swedish defense is bracing to face not only Kylian Mbappe, who has scored four times already in this tournament, but also Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who notched a hat-trick in a 4-1 win against Norway in the group stage.
Completing the French trio, Michael Olise's runs at defenders have been creating havoc.
With attacking swagger and midfield flair, France appear well-placed to reach their third final in as many World Cups.
The only question mark might be their defense -- and Sweden have their own high-profile forward line who will try to unlock it, although Premier League duo Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres have not fully fired yet at this tournament.
If France get past Sweden, they will face not Germany -- who were beaten in a penalty shootout for the first time in World Cup history on Monday -- but their conquerors Paraguay.
France coach Didier Deschamps said Sweden had "nothing to lose".
"Sweden are playing for their survival. Obviously, they will do everything to win the game," Deschamps said on Monday.
"We need to stay humble, maintain our determination and concentration. In the group stage winning the first game gave us some margin for error, but now we have no second chances."
France came into the World Cup as one of the leading contenders to win the trophy, following their triumph in 2018 and defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final.
Sweden's route to the World Cup was unusual -- they finished bottom of their qualifying group but were parachuted into the play-offs thanks to their performances in the UEFA Nations League.
They reached the knockout rounds in North America, despite a 5-1 drubbing by the Netherlands, as one of the best third-placed teams in the group phase.
Sweden coach Graham Potter said his team would have to produce something special to beat France.
"They have quality all over... They have won the World Cup before and they have a fantastic manager," Englishman Potter said Monday.
"An exciting challenge awaits us, and we will have to play the game of our lives, clearly."
- 'Powerhouse' Haaland -
Haaland, another potent attacking force at this World Cup with four goals in two games, will be fully rested when he comes up against the Ivory Coast in Dallas after he was not used in the defeat to France.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken hailed the leadership of his "powerhouse", hailing Haaland as "one of the best players in the world".
"He's a great leader for us, he leads by example on the pitch," he said. "He has something that maybe you can't train so much to reach it, the sniff for goals, the feeling that the ball will land at your feet... and I think that is his biggest strength."
Mexico meanwhile have the added bonus of knowing that if they beat Ecuador, they will remain in their capital city to face the winner of the tie between England and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On a dramatic day of action Monday, Paraguay stunned Germany in a penalty shootout of high drama after holding them to a 1-1 draw after extra time in Foxborough.
"This qualification is for all Paraguayans who believed in us," coach Gustavo Alfaro said -- and Paraguay's president called a national holiday to celebrate.
Morocco won their own shootout to eliminate the Netherlands after an enthralling contest in Monterrey as goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved the Netherlands' fifth penalty from Crysencio Summerville.
Then striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast home the winning effort for the Atlas Lions.
And Brazil came from behind to overcome Japan 2-1 in the day's first game, and will face the winner of Norway's game against the Ivory Coast on Sunday.
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