Bukayo Saka has been carrying an Achilles injury since March, but the Arsenal winger says he is “ready to go” for England's World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday. It is a gamble he is willing to take, despite admitting he may not be at his sharpest. Saka's situation highlights a familiar dilemma for elite footballers at major tournaments: the pressure to play through pain for club and country.
Saka, 24, missed the March international break and seven games for Arsenal because of the Achilles issue. He returned to help the Gunners win the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, and played 27 minutes of England's warm-up match against Costa Rica. England manager Thomas Tuchel has said he needs to “take care” of Saka and that it is “very unlikely” he would start and finish all World Cup matches. But Saka insists he is feeling better than he has in months and is ready to be selected. In the Champions League final, he was taken off with Arsenal level against Paris-St Germain, and his performance was criticised. Asked if he finds it frustrating being judged while not fully fit, Saka said it is a “gamble” he is happy to take: “People don't really care how you're feeling, they expect you to deliver, they expect you to perform.”
“Bukayo Saka's Achilles injury and his willingness to play through it for England at the 2026 World Cup, plus the phenomenon of team news leaks.”
This balancing act between player welfare and team success is not new. Saka's willingness to risk his fitness echoes a long history of players pushing their bodies to the limit for a World Cup. The issue is compounded by the intense media focus on team selection. In the build-up to the Croatia game, British journalists have been trying to uncover Tuchel's starting XI, just as Croatian journalists have been working to reveal Zlatko Dalic's plans. Tomislav Gabelic of 24Sata says that in Croatia, coach Dalic is “sometimes sad” when the team is leaked early. “It's our job to speak to people and get proper information about the team,” Gabelic says. He notes that with players' family, agents and friends, information is often available. For England fans, such leaks can cause anxiety, but for managers they are an unwanted distraction.
For UK readers, Saka's fitness gamble has direct consequences. England's opening match against Croatia in Dallas is a crucial Group L fixture. Saka is competing for a starting spot on the right wing with Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke. If Saka plays but is not fully fit, England may lose some attacking impetus; if he is rested, fans may question the decision. Tuchel's management of Saka's minutes will be closely watched. Beyond this match, the broader issue of player burnout is increasingly relevant in a congested football calendar.
Q: What is Bukayo Saka's injury? Saka has been carrying an Achilles injury since March 2026. The problem caused him to miss seven games for Arsenal and the March international break. He returned for the run-in and helped Arsenal win the Premier League.
Q: Will Saka start against Croatia? Saka says he is ready to play the whole match, but England manager Thomas Tuchel has indicated it is “very unlikely” he will start and finish all World Cup games. It is expected that Tuchel will manage Saka's game time, possibly substituting him or not starting him.
Q: Why do journalists leak team news before matches? Journalists gather information from sources such as players' family, agents and club staff. Leaking the team is part of covering major tournaments, and both English and Croatian media do it. Coaches often dislike leaks because they give opponents advance knowledge, but reporters see it as their job to uncover the lineup.
What happens next: England face Croatia on Wednesday evening in Dallas. Saka is likely to be included in the matchday squad, but his exact role – whether he starts or comes off the bench – will depend on Tuchel's assessment. After the opener, England's World Cup campaign continues with further group matches. Saka's fitness will be managed throughout the tournament.