Bukayo Saka is still recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in March 2026 and is being carefully managed by England ahead of the 2026 World Cup [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Despite not being at full fitness, Saka played through discomfort for Arsenal late in the 2025-2026 season. He helped Arsenal win the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final, where he started but was substituted in the 83rd minute of the loss on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Saka has missed consecutive England training sessions as his playing load is being carefully monitored to avoid setbacks. England manager Thomas Tuchel said on June 9 that Saka is "still getting there, playing through discomfort at the end of the season" but is "not at 100%. He is the one we are building and taking care of in training" [1, 2, 3, 5]. Tuchel added that during the club season, Arsenal "managed him in between matches" and that management "continues a bit at the moment" [1].
Saka rejoined the England squad in West Palm Beach on June 6 after an extra rest week following the Champions League final [3]. Other Arsenal players in the England squad like Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke reportedly are fully fit and available [3]. Tuchel confirmed on June 10 after England's first warm-up match against New Zealand that "no [injury] complaints" emerged and all players except Saka are fully available [1].
The England squad will play a final World Cup warm-up match against Costa Rica in Orlando today, June 10 [1, 3]. Tuchel indicated he plans to manage Saka's playing time carefully during these warm-up games and throughout the tournament starting with their Group stage opener against Croatia on June 17 in Dallas [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
At 24 years old, Saka has been a key player for England at major tournaments. He scored 3 goals in 4 appearances at the 2022 World Cup and has amassed 14 goals in 48 caps overall [1, 2, 4, 5]. Tuchel emphasized the need for frequent training and clear player roles but said he expects to avoid many experiments during the World Cup [3].
England's focus remains on bringing Saka to peak fitness while protecting him from aggravating his injury. The team's next official match is the warm-up game against Costa Rica later today, before the World Cup group stage begins next week.
