Tuchel Hints Saka Will Miss England's World Cup Start Against Ghana

EnglandTeam·England's preparations for their second FIFA World Cup 2026Competition·FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage fixture against GhanaTeam·Ghana are under scrutiny, particularly concerning the fitness of key winger Bukayo SakaPlayer·Bukayo Saka. Manager Thomas Tuchel has suggested a cautious approach, indicating that Saka will not be risked from the start in the crucial encounter.

Saka has been managing an Achilles injury since March 2026, an issue that persisted through ArsenalTeam·Arsenal's Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League-winning campaign and their run to the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League final. This long-standing concern has prompted a careful management strategy from the EnglandTeam·England camp, aiming to ensure the 24-year-old is at peak condition for the latter stages of the tournament.

Thomas Tuchel elaborated on the situation, stating, "Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready. Once we get to the last game in the group it is the moment." He further explained that it is "very unlikely" Saka will "start and finish" every game at the World Cup, unlike other players, due to the necessity to "take care" of the winger's physical condition.

Despite the manager's cautious stance, Saka himself has expressed confidence in his recovery. "I'm feeling better than I have felt in the last few months, and I'm ready to go," he affirmed. However, he also acknowledged the inherent "gamble" of playing when not at 100% fitness, understanding that performance expectations remain high regardless of his injury management.

EnglandTeam·England commenced their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over CroatiaTeam·Croatia on June 17, 2026. In that opening match, Saka made an impactful substitute appearance, coming on in the 72nd minute and contributing an assist for EnglandTeam·England's fourth goal. This performance demonstrated his immediate influence even when not starting, providing a template for his potential role against GhanaTeam·Ghana.

As of now, EnglandTeam·England leads Group L with 3 points, a position shared with GhanaTeam·Ghana, who also secured a victory in their opening group game against Panama. The upcoming fixture against GhanaTeam·Ghana on June 23, 2026, is pivotal for both teams' aspirations to advance. EnglandTeam·England's final group stage match is against Panama on June 27, 2026. The strategic decision to manage Saka's minutes, particularly against GhanaTeam·Ghana, underscores Tuchel's focus on having his star winger fully fit and firing for the knockout rounds, where his offensive capabilities will be indispensable.