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Bukayo Saka fitness update: England winger’s injury status ahead of World Cup 2026 opener
Rohan Mehta | June 10, 2026 10:13 PM CST

England winger Bukayo Saka reported late to the national team’s World Cup 2026 training camp.


Over the past few years, Saka has become one of England’s most crucial players, consistently delivering top performances for the Three Lions.


The Arsenal star has appeared in every major tournament match for England since the Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark. He was also among England’s standout players at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he scored three goals.


Head coach Thomas Tuchel will be eager to have the 24-year-old fully fit and ready when England begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, June 17.


Saka’s domestic season ended on a mixed note. His participation in Arsenal’s first Premier League title triumph since 2004 was restricted due to an Achilles injury, which allowed him to complete a full 90 minutes only once since March.


He was also part of the Arsenal side that lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on May 30. As a result, Saka and his three Arsenal teammates in the England squad — Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke — joined Tuchel’s World Cup camp late on Saturday evening.



The group joined the rest of the squad following England’s 1-0 win over New Zealand in their first warm-up game. The second and final friendly match is scheduled against Costa Rica on Wednesday evening.


Speaking ahead of that fixture in Orlando, Tuchel confirmed that Saka had trained with the squad but was still not completely match-fit.


“We still have to be a bit cautious with Bukayo, who picked up an injury in March and carried it through the club season,” Tuchel said during a press interaction.


“He made himself available at the end of the campaign and performed superbly, but he was managed carefully between matches. That continues for now — we are gradually building him up.”


“We just finished training, and everyone participated, including Bukayo.”



Saka has netted 14 goals in 48 appearances for England. However, he has not played for the national team since November, having withdrawn from the March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan due to his Achilles problem.


It remains uncertain whether Saka will earn his 49th cap tonight, as Tuchel is expected to field a starting eleven that closely mirrors the lineup for England’s Group L opener against Croatia.


Following that match, England will face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, June 23, before concluding their group fixtures against Panama in New Jersey on Saturday, June 27.


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