World Cup 2026: Injury-hit Bukayo Saka may be held back again for Ghana showdown, says Tuchel

England manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted Bukayo Saka may not be ready to start against Ghana in their World Cup Group L meeting, with the Arsenal winger still recovering from an Achilles issue that disrupted the closing stages of his 2025-26 season.

Saka featured in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, coming off the bench to provide an assist for Marcus Rashford as the Three Lions opened their campaign with an emphatic victory over Croatia national football team.

Saka fitness concern

Saka’s involvement remains carefully managed, with Tuchel indicating that although progress is being made, the winger is unlikely to be risked from the start.

“Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready. I think once we go to the last game of this group he will be ready.

“He was strong in training yesterday, in small spaces. It was just a matter of if the game against Croatia was open and was up and down.

“We are so strong from the bench and I was so impressed with everyone against Costa Rica because they pushed on the buttons and pushed on the gas and kept suffocating the opponent.

“We needed this quality against Croatia to bring it over the line. I know they are all starters. They buy into this idea that we do it as a team.”

Tuchel leans on squad depth

England’s attacking options were underlined in the win over Croatia, where Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon started behind Harry Kane in a fluid front line that overwhelmed the opposition.

The system allowed England to maintain intensity throughout, with depth proving decisive in the latter stages of the contest.

Ghana test looms

Looking ahead, England face Ghana on Tuesday before meeting Panama on June 27, with a victory over Ghana enough to secure progression to the next round.

Tuchel’s side remain strong favourites to advance from Group L after their commanding opening display. Marcus Rashford’s impact from the bench further strengthened the case for England’s rotation model as the tournament schedule intensifies.