Bukayo Saka, 24, has been managing an ongoing Achilles tendinitis issue since March 2026, affecting his involvement in England’s 2026 World Cup campaign so far [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. England head coach Thomas Tuchel said Saka is unlikely to start matches until the final group game against Panama on June 27, stating, "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" [1].

Saka came off the bench and provided an assist in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia on June 18, his first group match appearance [1, 2, 3, 6]. However, he missed group training sessions on June 19 and 20 to follow an individual training programme focused on load management, reflecting caution around his injury [2, 3, 5, 6].

By June 22, Tuchel confirmed Saka was pain-free and had completed full high-intensity training sessions, making him available for the next match. "Everyone is available, everyone was in training. Bukayo is getting better and better. He's more and more free in his movements. He feels no more pain," Tuchel said [7, 8]. Saka made a substitute appearance in the 0-0 draw against Ghana on June 23, showing progress but unable to help England break down Ghana’s defense [9, 10].

Saka’s injury management has been coordinated by both Arsenal and England’s coaching staff. Arsenal considered him fit enough for regular starts during their Premier League title run-in earlier this season [1, 3, 4]. Despite progress, Tuchel emphasized the need for more training sessions before Saka can start again, saying, "He seems to be more and more ready, and will hopefully push... He’s getting there, and there’s more and more training sessions, so he needs to have more sessions now. Two sessions to be ready for Panama" [9].

Tuchel acknowledged the team needs top fitness from all players without overburdening Saka. "We need it from everyone but I'm not engaging in... it's not like Bukayo comes back and everything is solved. I don't want to put this on his back. He is a top player, that's why he is with us. We need him desperately, like every other player, in top shape and pushing," he said [10].

England will monitor other squad members' fitness, including Declan Rice and Reece James, ahead of their crucial final group game against Panama on June 27, when Saka is expected to start if fit [9, 10].