World Cup 2026: Bukayo Saka unlikely to start Ghana game

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has hinted that Bukayo Saka is unlikely to feature against Ghana on Tuesday.

Saka came off the bench in Wednesday’s 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia and immediately provided an assist to substitute Marcus Rashford, who finished in England’s fourth position.

Before the tournament, Tuchel said Saka would need to manage the opening stages due to what is understood to be an Achilles tendinitis problem.

On Monday, Saka insisted he was ready to play and was prepared to “gamble” on his fitness to help the team during the World Cup.

However, Tuchel said the Arsenal striker was unlikely to start until the final group match against Panama in New Jersey on June 27.

He said: “Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready. I think he will be ready when we play the last game of this group.”

Saka had been addressing this issue for some time and although there were concerns about the issue behind the scenes at Arsenal, they felt their striker was fit enough to start regularly in the title race.

It is understood that Saka’s ongoing Achilles problem has not worsened since the height of the home season.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who is usually very cautious about his players’ injury concerns, has generally kept information about Saka’s condition in-house, but Tuchel’s admission that the 24-year-old will need to be managed for at least part of the World Cup has thrown the winger’s fitness into the spotlight.

Tuchel’s latest comments suggest the German is protecting Saka, knowing the attacker will be an important asset later in the tournament, but could also start against Ghana if necessary.