On the eve of England's World Cup opener against Croatia, Bukayo Saka stands at the centre of a familiar footballing dilemma: how much risk should a star player take with his body when a major tournament beckons? The Arsenal winger has been nursing an Achilles injury since March, yet he insists he is 'ready to go' and willing to 'gamble' on his fitness for England's campaign in the United States.
The basics are straightforward. Saka, 24, sustained the injury during Arsenal's Carabao Cup final victory over Manchester City in March. It forced him to miss England's March international break and seven subsequent games for his club. Since returning, he has completed 90 minutes only once in five appearances and was substituted before the end of normal time in the Champions League final, which Arsenal lost to Paris Saint-Germain. England manager Thomas Tuchel has said Saka 'very unlikely' will 'start and finish' all World Cup matches, and came off the bench for 27 minutes in England's final warm-up game against Costa Rica. Against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, Saka may start, but Tuchel could opt for Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke on the right wing instead.
“Bukayo Saka's Achilles gamble ahead of England's World Cup opener explained.”
This situation is not new. For decades, elite footballers have pushed through pain to represent their countries on the biggest stage. Saka himself acknowledged the trade-off: '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.' He added that 'people don't really care how you're feeling, they expect you to deliver'. The phrase 'gamble' captures the tension between a player's desire to contribute and the long-term risk of aggravating an injury.
Why does this matter for UK readers? England's World Cup hopes rest heavily on Saka's creativity and goals. He has been a key figure since his breakthrough at Euro 2020, and his club form this season helped Arsenal win their first Premier League title in 22 years. Saka says that winning feeling has given him 'more confidence and freedom', and he is hungry to repeat that success with England. But his fitness is a fragile thread: if he breaks down during the tournament, England lose one of their most potent attacking threats. For fans watching at home, every sprint, turn and tackle from Saka will carry an extra layer of anxiety.
Q: What exactly is Saka's injury? Saka has an Achilles problem that he first felt during Arsenal's Carabao Cup final in March. It has been managed by both Arsenal's medical staff and England's team, and he has played through pain since then, missing seven games for Arsenal and the March international break.
Q: Will Saka start against Croatia in England's World Cup opener? It is uncertain. Manager Thomas Tuchel has said Saka is unlikely to be able to play full matches consistently. Saka says he is 'ready to go', but Tuchel may use him as a substitute or start Noni Madueke instead. The match is on Wednesday in Dallas.
Q: How many caps does Saka have, and what is his record with England? Saka has 49 caps for England and is set to win his 50th against Croatia. He has scored in major tournaments, including at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
What happens next? England face Croatia on Wednesday, then have further group games. Tuchel will monitor Saka's minutes carefully, possibly using him as an impact substitute to preserve his fitness. Saka has said he will continue to gamble on playing whenever possible, but the risk of a setback remains real. The outcome of this gamble could shape England's entire World Cup.