England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Bukayo Saka is struggling with an Achilles problem, casting doubt on the winger's availability for the start of the 2026 World Cup. Saka reported late to England's training camp and has been undergoing individual fitness work, but he remains behind his Arsenal teammates Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze, who were given extra time off after the Champions League final.
Tuchel's update on Saka's condition
Speaking ahead of England's final warm-up match against Costa Rica, Tuchel said: "Declan is on 100 per cent and Bukayo is still getting there. He played through discomfort at the end of the season, but he is still not at his 100 per cent. He is the one we are building up and taking care of in training. Some things are missing, like consecutive training. Arsenal took very good care of him, and we will do the same."
Tuchel added: "Step by step, he is not able to do every training session and then play. He will be managed. Arsenal and Bukayo decided together to let him play through pain, even if he couldn't train fully during the week. He was decisive in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid and played in the final. But he was managed in between, and we are doing the same."
Saka's fitness progress
Saka missed training on Monday but returned for a full session on Tuesday. Tuchel confirmed he is available for the Costa Rica friendly but needs careful management. "It is very unlikely Bukayo starts and finishes all the matches from now on," Tuchel admitted.
Saka is a key player for England, known for his reliability and consistency. His fitness is a concern ahead of the World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17. Tuchel plans to field a near full-strength side against Costa Rica, with players not featuring in that match set to play a behind-closed-doors game against Miami FC on Thursday.
Tuchel explained: "We have to play Costa Rica, which is very different from what Croatia will offer, but we will give players 60-70 minutes to be ready for Croatia."
