England winger Bukayo Saka, 24, has been managing Achilles tendinitis since March 2026, affecting his involvement in the 2026 World Cup group stage matches [1, 2, 3]. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has kept details of the injury guarded, but Saka played regularly enough to help Arsenal win the Premier League this season [1, 3, 4].

Saka came off the bench to provide an assist in England’s opening 4-2 win against Croatia on June 18, his only appearance before the injury management intensified [1, 2, 3, 5, 6]. After that, he skipped full group training ahead of the June 23 match with Ghana, following an individual fitness programme instead [2, 3, 5]. On June 20, Saka trained individually but returned to full training on June 21 [3, 4, 7, 6].

England head coach Thomas Tuchel said on June 22 that Saka no longer felt pain and had trained at the highest level in the two days before the Ghana match [7, 6]. Tuchel said, “Bukayo is getting better and better. He's more and more free in his movements. He feels no more pain. He was able to do both our training sessions the last two days on the highest level, so he's ready to go without telling you if he will start on the bench” [7].

Saka came on as a substitute during England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana on June 23, bringing attacking impetus [3, 8, 9]. Tuchel said Saka is unlikely to start until England’s final group match against Panama on June 27. “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,” Tuchel said [1, 3, 4, 8].

Tuchel cautioned against relying solely on Saka to solve England’s attacking challenges. “It’s not like Bukayo comes back and everything is solved, and I don’t want to put this on his back. We need him desperately, like every other player, in top shape, and pushing,” he said [8]. Other fitness issues remain, including Declan Rice’s calf strapping and Reece James’s hamstring injury [8, 10].

England face Panama on June 27 in their final Group L match. The team needs to break down a low, compact defensive block, with Saka expected to start and contribute to England’s attack [9, 10].