William Saliba says he is one of the best despite rejecting star comparisons with Mbappe and Dembele

William Saliba says the next World Cup carries special meaning for him as he prepares to make what he considers his first real appearance on the global stage. Although he was part of France’s squad in Qatar, the defender featured only briefly, spending most of the tournament on the bench and totaling just 27 minutes of playing time. For Saliba, that experience was more of an introduction than a true debut, and he now sees the coming competition as his chance to fully announce himself at international football’s biggest event.

The Arsenal center-back is also driven by France’s painful defeat in the 2022 World Cup final. That loss to Argentina still lingers, and Saliba has made clear that it remains a major source of motivation. He wants another opportunity to meet Argentina in a future World Cup setting, believing that a rematch would give France the chance to settle the score after the heartbreak of Qatar. The memory of that final has sharpened his ambition and added an extra emotional layer to his preparation for the next tournament.

Saliba singled out Argentina as the team France would most want to face again. His comments reflected both respect and determination, with the defender openly admitting that the manner of France’s defeat created a desire for revenge. He said that when a team beats you in that way, the natural response is to want them back on the same stage. That competitive mindset captures the feeling among many France players who are still carrying the disappointment of losing the title match.

Beyond Argentina, Saliba also pointed to a number of other teams he believes could stand in France’s way as they pursue a third World Cup crown. He named Spain, Brazil, England, and Portugal as the other major contenders, underlining the depth of competition expected at the tournament. His assessment suggests that France will once again enter the competition among the favorites, but also that the path to the title will be extremely difficult.

France’s ambitions remain high after falling just short of back-to-back world titles in Qatar. The squad has continued to evolve, and Saliba is expected to play a larger role if he is selected for the next World Cup. For the defender, the challenge is not only to help France compete for the trophy, but also to convert the disappointment of the previous final into fuel for success.

At this stage of his international career, Saliba appears focused on turning past frustration into future achievement. The next World Cup represents both a personal milestone and a team objective: a chance to establish himself fully on football’s biggest stage and help France chase glory once again.