Saka World Cup Fitness Gamble Leaves England Ready To Go For Croatia Opener

Bukayo Saka accepts playing at the World Cup is a risk for personal fitness, yet insists readiness for England’s Group L opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, facing the side that ended the semi-final run in Russia eight years earlier after Saka carried an Achilles problem through Arsenal’s Premier League title push and Champions League runners-up finish in the closing weeks of 2025-26.

Saka was absent from Gareth Southgate’s squad in 2018, but has since grown into an important figure for club and country, widely regarded as one of the first selections on Thomas Tuchel’s teamsheet, although Tuchel used Saka only as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 3-0 friendly victory over Costa Rica and stated the winger is still not prepared to complete a full 90 minutes.

Saka is eager to feature from the start despite that caution, saying: "I don't want to say anything that goes against the manager. But what I would say, between Mikel [Arteta] and Arsenal's medical team and England's medical team, since March they have managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team. I am feeling better than I have felt for the last few months. I am ready to go."

Saka also accepts scrutiny will be intense if performances disappoint while fitness is not perfect, adding: "As players, it's the biggest gamble, especially if you're not feeling your sharpest. You have the choice, whether you don't play or you put yourself out there, knowing people are going to judge you the same. At the end of the day, people don't really care how you're feeling, they expect you to deliver, they expect you to perform. I'm happy to take the gamble. It paid off, I'd say. Im going to continue doing that. But I am feeling a lot better than I did in March and I'm ready to go."

Across the 2025-26 campaign, Saka delivered 11 goals and seven assists in 49 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, the lowest goal return for Saka in a season since scoring seven times in 2020-21 and matching his fewest assists since 2018-19, when Saka made a Gunners debut, featured in only four matches and did not register an assist, with seven assists again in both 2020-21 and 2021-22.

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Despite the statistical dip and recent Achilles concern, expectations around Saka remain high, and the winger understands performances at this World Cup will be judged without allowance for physical issues, while Tuchel must still balance medical advice and tactical plans before deciding whether to start Saka or restrict minutes again after the Costa Rica friendly.

If Tuchel decides to limit Saka’s involvement against Croatia, Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke is viewed as the leading candidate to operate on the right flank, while Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon are also anticipated to support Harry Kane in the attacking structure as England begin their Group L schedule in Dallas.

Saka enters the tournament carrying confidence from managing the Achilles problem since March with the help of Arsenal and England staff, believing the calculated risk of playing remains worthwhile after contributing to Arsenal’s Premier League title and Champions League runners-up finish, while targeting a strong impact for England from the opening match onward.