March 23 (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 byManchester City in Sunday's League Cup final, before the FFF announcedhis injury.
"The Arsenal centre 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 played43 games in all competitions this season.
Saliba was among theexpanded 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.
(Reporting by Mohamed Yossry, editing by Toby Davis)
