Bukayo Saka is a major injury concern for the England squad in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as Thomas Tuchel has confirmed the Arsenal winger is still suffering from an Achilles injury. Saka played through the issue for the last two months of the domestic season, and the 24-year-old has arrived in the US looking a long way from his sharpest.
That setback is nothing new, however, with Tuchel admitting the issue first arose during the March international break and never really went away. Saka was forced to miss England’s March friendlies and played 90 minutes just once in five games during Arsenal’s title run-in.
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He was also one of four Gunners players who were given extra rest after their Champions League final defeat, ahead of the FIFA World Cup. At this stage, the German boss admits careful handling of his star wide man is more of a necessity than a luxury. He told reporters (via Mirror):
“Bukayo is just not there yet. Some things are missing, consecutive training. They took very good care of him and were very aware of it at Arsenal, and we will do a little bit the same.”
Tuchel admitted Saka is currently unable to train on consecutive days:
“So, step by step, he is at the moment not able to do every training session through the week and then play. He is still going to be managed…
“Yesterday, he was not with us, today he was and did the full training session. He is available for tomorrow, but he needs management to be fully, fully 100 per cent, which he is not.”
The German tactician also revealed that the Arsenal winger is unlikely to play 90 minutes consistently at the FIFA World Cup. Saka could be available for the final warm-up friendly against Costa Rica at the Inter&Co Stadium on June 10.
Does England have a backup for Bukayo Saka at the FIFA World Cup?
England’s concern about Saka is compounded by an alarming lack of options out on the right, an area where the Arsenal man has become indispensable. Apart from Noni Madueke, there are no other natural replacements or backup options in the squad.
England are in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama and will start their campaign in the FIFA World Cup finals on June 17. With Saka’s fitness concerns, there will be questions about his replacement if his injury worsens.
Saka is still one of the most reliable performers around, even if the last season was a more muted campaign by his own exalted standards. It is his least productive season in half a decade, with only six non-penalty league goals.
Edited by Nnanna Mba