Saka Injury Update
England's Bukayo Saka Manages Achilles Injury, Tuchel Emphasizes Workload Ahead of Ghana Clash
Key Points
Thomas Tuchel said Saka “is still not 100 per cent” and that “Some things are missing for Bukayo in terms of consecutive training,” adding that it’s “very unlikely Bukayo starts and finishes the matches all from now on.”
England’s official X account said Saka was the only player training individually, following his own programme while the rest of the squad trained together.
SunSport reported Marcus Rashford was complaining of a tight hamstring after the Croatia win and did not feature in a practice game against Sporting Kansas City; in a behind-closed-doors friendly that ended 5-1 to England, all substitutes except Rashford and Saka took part.
Tuchel stated he expects Saka to be ready for England’s final group match against Panama, saying: “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.”
England also received another fitness and squad update: Trevoh Chalobah trained with the full group for the first time after arriving on Thursday, following Tino Livramento’s calf injury that ended his tournament on the eve of the opener.
Bukayo Saka trained alone on Friday as England prepare to face Ghana on Tuesday, with manager Thomas Tuchel admitting the Arsenal winger is "still not 100 per cent." Saka, 24, is managing a chronic Achilles injury that has limited him since March, and Tuchel said it is "very unlikely Bukayo starts and finishes the matches all from now on," according to Sky Sports.
England remain on track in Group L after a 4-2 opening win over Croatia, where Saka came off the bench in the 72nd minute and assisted Marcus Rashford's late goal. But the fitness picture around two of their most important attackers has put Tuchel's squad management under the spotlight.
Saka's Achilles Issue Dates Back to March
Saka first hurt his Achilles during Arsenal's Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City in March 2026. He played through the pain as Arsenal won the Premier League title but was substituted in the 83rd minute of the Champions League final defeat to PSG in May, according to The Guardian. Tuchel gave him an extra week of rest before the tournament, saying Saka was "still getting there."
Against Croatia, Saka lasted just 18 minutes off the bench before the final whistle — enough time to set up Rashford's goal but not enough to prove full fitness. Head Topics reported he is the only England player following an individual training programme, with the rest of the squad working together ahead of the Ghana clash.
Tuchel Targets Panama Game for Saka's Full Return
Tuchel is taking a long-term view. He said: "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." England's final group game against Panama is on June 27. The Football Association said there is no concern about Saka's availability for the Ghana match, but starting him remains unlikely, according to AOL News.
With Saka managed carefully, Noni Madueke is expected to keep his starting spot on the right wing. Ivan Toney showed England's bench depth by scoring a hat-trick in a 5-1 behind-closed-doors win over Sporting Kansas City on June 18, a game Saka did not feature in at all.
Rashford Scare Adds to England's Injury Worries
Marcus Rashford finished the Croatia win complaining of a tight hamstring. He also skipped the Sporting Kansas City friendly, sitting out alongside Saka. OzArab Media reported that England's medical team kept a close eye on the forward before he returned to full group training on June 20 — a boost for Tuchel ahead of the Ghana match.
England's squad has faced other injury setbacks too. Tino Livramento suffered a calf injury in training on June 14 and was ruled out of the entire tournament. Trevoh Chalobah was called up as his replacement and trained with the full squad for the first time on Friday, according to Sky Sports.
England Top Group L but Face a Tight Schedule
England sit top of Group L with three points and a plus-two goal difference after one game. They face Ghana on June 23 in Foxborough, then Panama on June 27 in New Jersey. Tuchel's challenge is to keep winning while not burning out key players too early in a 48-team tournament that is longer and more demanding than any World Cup before it.
Saka himself told reporters on June 15 that he is "ready to do whatever it takes," showing his desire to play through pain for his country. But Tuchel has been clear: protecting Saka now is the price England must pay to have their best winger fit when the knockout rounds begin.
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