Bukayo Saka Still Not Fit, Threatened to Miss England's First Match

England national team. (X/@England)

JAKARTA - English winger Bukayo Saka has not recovered from an achilles (tendon) injury that makes him at risk of missing the first match of Group L of the 2026 World Cup against Croatia. Manager Thomas Tuchel is racing against time waiting for the Arsenal winger to recover even though there are those who can replace him.

Tuchel said that Saka was still undergoing recovery from the tendon injury he suffered. As a result of the injury, Saka did not make the England squad when he was on trial in March. He also only played five times after the final Carabao Cup or English League Cup.

Saka was still forced to appear in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. However, he was then pulled out and Arsenal failed in the final match after losing on penalties.

"Bukayo can still play even though he feels uncomfortable at the end of the season. But he was able to overcome it and play at the highest level," said Tuchel when responding to Saka's injury problem as quoted by The Sun.

In a condition that is not fit because he has not fully recovered from an injury, Tuchel still brought Saka to the United States. However, the player who also helped Arsenal win the English Premier League has finally been able to follow training with the team.

"He is not 100 percent fit. This is what made him unable to attend several training sessions. However, Arsenal has given him the maximum treatment. His condition is indeed slowly starting to recover. He has also been training," said Tuchel, who has previously designed Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

However, Tuchel could not confirm whether Saka had a chance to appear in England's first match against Croatia. But for now he can't play, including when he tested against Costa Rica, Thursday, June 11, 2026 early morning WIB.

'I'm not saying if Bukayo is not ready for the first match. What is clear is that for now, he can't be a starter or finish the match,' said Tuchel.

"The day before, he couldn't train. But now he has been training in full. He can actually play against Costa Rica, but he is expected to be 100 percent fit. Currently he has not reached that position even though he can still play at the highest level," he said again.

Saka is a pillar player for England and experienced because he has appeared in three major tournaments. This is what makes Tuchel still bring Saka even though his condition has not recovered.

If he can't be brought down in the first match, Tuchel is preparing Saka's colleague at Arsenal, Noni Madueke who has joined the team. Madueke got an extra holiday with Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze after appearing in the Champions League final.

In addition, there are Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford. Although they usually play on the right wing, they are also often moved to the left wing. However, if Tuchel uses two strikers, then midfielder Jude Bellingham will play behind the duet of Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney.