Saka's Achilles Worry Clouds England's World Cup 2026 Opener Against Croatia

As of June 10, 2026, Saka trained with the squad on Tuesday but missed Monday's session — he is available for the Costa Rica friendly but is not yet at 100 per cent fitness . The Achilles tendon problem reportedly flared at the end of Arsenal's club season, and Saka played through the pain, worsening the condition . Head coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed England are taking care of Saka ahead of the tournament .

This is the biggest pre-tournament fitness scare for an England squad that otherwise arrives in strong form (as of June 10, 2026). Seven wins, one draw, and two losses in the last 10 matches. Twenty-two goals scored. Five conceded . The question now is whether Saka — Arsenal's most dangerous wide attacker — will be sharp enough to start when the group stage opens on June 17 against Croatia.

What Happened to Saka

Reports citing The Mirror indicate that Tuchel is seriously concerned about Saka's fitness . The winger suffered an Achilles tendon injury toward the end of the club campaign and continued playing through it, aggravating the issue. He was absent from England's first warm-up match against New Zealand — a 1-0 win — along with Arsenal teammates Eberechi Eze, Nolan Madueke, and Declan Rice, all of whom were given extended rest after Arsenal's Champions League final involvement (as of June 10, 2026).

Saka's national-team minutes over the last 12 months tell the story: 141 minutes across just 2 appearances . That is heavily managed playing time. At club level, he logged 3,493 minutes for Arsenal with 11 goals and 9 assists in 55 appearances — a full, productive season that clearly took a toll (as of June 10, 2026).

Tuchel plans to hand more minutes to players who need them in the Costa Rica friendly, and Saka is expected to feature (as of June 10, 2026). That match is a live audition for his fitness. If he comes through it cleanly, the Croatia opener is on. If not, England have options.

England's 26-Man World Cup Squad

Tuchel named the official 26 on May 22 . Here is the full roster by position.

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

Who Steps In if Saka Can't Go

England's 26 includes real depth on the flanks. The names that could fill Saka's right-wing role if he is unavailable or restricted:

That is five players who can cover one position . Tuchel has options. But none of them are Saka. His ability to beat a full-back one-on-one, his delivery from the right side, and his relationship with Kane in the final third are not easily replicated.

Group L — The Schedule

England's path through the group stage:

The other Group L fixtures:

Croatia on matchday one is the hardest draw. If Saka is fit for that opener, even as a 60-minute starter, it changes the tactical picture entirely. If he is not, Tuchel could target the Ghana and Panama fixtures for his return and manage the Achilles across three games in 10 days .

Recent Form

England's last 10 results (7W, 1D, 2L, 22 goals for, 5 against) : (as of June 10, 2026)

The two defeats — Japan and Senegal — both came at home. The Senegal loss stands out: 1-3 in June 2025. But the qualifying run was dominant. Five clean sheets in those 10 matches. The squad is solid. The concern is narrow: one player, one tendon, one week to go.

What is Bukayo Saka's injury ahead of the World Cup?

Saka is managing an Achilles tendon injury that reportedly worsened during the end of Arsenal's club season . He played through the pain, and the condition deteriorated. He missed Monday's training session but returned to full training on Tuesday, June 10. He is available for the Costa Rica friendly but is not yet at 100 per cent fitness.

When does England play their first World Cup 2026 match?

England open Group L against Croatia on June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. That is the fixture most immediately affected by Saka's fitness — just seven days from the data in this article. Tuchel will use the Costa Rica friendly as a final assessment.

Who could replace Saka in England's starting lineup?

Nolan Madueke, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, and Eberechi Eze are all in the 26-man squad and can cover the right-wing position . Madueke, now Saka's teammate at Arsenal, is the most direct like-for-like option with 13 club goals this season.

How has England performed in recent matches before the World Cup?

England have won 7 of their last 10 matches, drawn 1, and lost 2, scoring 22 goals and conceding just 5 . The qualifying campaign was dominant, with 5-0 wins over Serbia away and Latvia away standing out. The only defeats came at home to Japan (0-1) and Senegal (1-3) (as of June 10, 2026).

What does England's World Cup 2026 group look like?

Group L features England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. England play all three group matches in the United States — Arlington, Foxborough, and East Rutherford — between June 17 and June 27. Croatia is the strongest group-stage opponent. Ghana and Panama offer different challenges but are beatable fixtures for a squad of this depth.

See the projected squad
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