England coach Tuchel confirms careful management of Saka's fitness before the 2026 World Cup.
England manager Thomas Tuchel revealed that Bukayo Saka's condition is being handled with extra caution as the 2026 World Cup approaches. The Arsenal forward had to miss part of the season due to a muscle issue but returned in time to help his club secure the Premier League crown. With 14 goals in 48 appearances for the national team, Saka's ongoing care remains a priority.
Tuchel spoke about the deliberate steps being taken to ensure the player's readiness for the tournament. 'We still have to take a little bit of care for Bukayo [Saka] who had an injury in March and carried it through the club campaign,' Tuchel explained. He added that Saka was carefully managed during the season and the approach continues now as the team builds his fitness.
'He made himself available at the end of the season and did so brilliantly, but he was managed in between matches. That continues a bit at the moment - we are building him up.' Tuchel confirmed that Saka participated fully in the latest training session.
Tuchel indicated that he will assess the England squad before finalizing the starting lineup for the upcoming match against Costa Rica on Wednesday at 21:00 BST. The coach made 11 substitutions at halftime during Saturday's 1-0 victory over New Zealand, signaling a rotation strategy to prepare players for the tournament opener against Croatia.
John Stones emerged as a potential starter after limited minutes at Manchester City last season. 'Of course [Stones can start]. Everyone can start - everyone is fit and ready and John is one of them,' Tuchel stated. He emphasized that the team has two more fixtures to refine their preparation and expressed hope for continued health ahead of the Croatia game.
'Before this, we have two more matches to play and hopefully we take the next step. Hopefully we all stay healthy and have the full availability for Croatia.' Tuchel also outlined plans for extended playing time in the next match, targeting 60 to 70 minutes for key performers.
Tuchel dismissed suggestions that England are among the top contenders for the World Cup, despite reaching back-to-back European Championship finals. The team has also advanced to the semi-finals and quarter-finals in recent World Cup editions.
'If you get to two Euros finals, and reach semi-finals and quarter-finals of the World Cup, then you are there - then you can win it,' the 52-year-old German coach remarked. He acknowledged that luck plays a role but stressed that England see themselves as competitors rather than favorites.
'Then maybe it just takes a bit of luck or whatever. I strongly believe we are there, but I also believe we are not the favourites because of the history.' Tuchel drew a comparison to Wimbledon, noting that long periods without victory can shift perceptions.
'Maybe it's the wrong comparison, but if you go to Wimbledon and haven't won it for 60 years, you're not the favourites - but you can win it, of course. That's what we want to do.' He underscored the need for steady progress and mental focus throughout the campaign.
Tuchel expressed appreciation for the Football Association's support in keeping political distractions away from the team's preparations. FIFA announced that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not officiate at this summer's World Cup after being denied entry to the USA. Visa complications have also affected participants from Iran in recent days.
'I'm grateful to the FA for letting me separate [politics and football] and talk about football and just talk about football because we need to be focused,' Tuchel said. He highlighted the difficulty of maintaining concentration amid external pressures.
'We can't be distracted. It's hard enough to be focused without being distracted.' The coach reiterated the importance of discipline, commitment, and collective belief as the team pursues its World Cup ambitions.