Bukayo Saka unlikely to start in England's second World Cup game against Ghana

FootballSports
21 Jun 2026 • 12:06 AM MYT
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Bukayo Saka is unlikely to start in England's second World Cup game against Ghana.

The Arsenal winger came on off the bench against Croatia, assisting Marcus Rashford, who made it 4-2, as the Three Lions got off to winning ways.

Before the competition began, Tuchel shared that Saka would be managed in the opening stages due to what is understood to be Achilles tendinitis.

Saka shared he was ready to "gamble" on his fitness and help England at the World Cup.

Despite this, Tuchel suggested that the 24-year-old will have to wait until the Three Lions' final game to start.

The German said: "Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready. I think once we go to the last game of this group, he will be ready."

England dominated their opening game of the World Cup, with Croatia no match in the second half.

The Three Lions took the lead twice in the first half, both thanks to Harry Kane, but found themselves pegged back as many times through goals from Martin Baturina and Petar Musa.

Image from: Bukayo Saka unlikely to start in England's second World Cup game against Ghana
Bukayo Saka | Source: REUTERS

Jude Bellingham and Rashford's second-half strikes were enough for England to pick up all three points in Group L and see off who many tipped to be their toughest early challengers.

They weathered a double Croatian setback to dominate the second half, with plenty of positives to take from their opening performance.

Captain Kane, who now sits just one goal away from becoming England's standalone World Cup record goalscorer - and two from equalling Pele himself, praised his team's display in the second half.

"The performance, with and without the ball, was at the highest level. We could have scored three goals in that 20-minute spell (after half-time)," he said.

Image from: Bukayo Saka unlikely to start in England's second World Cup game against Ghana
Harry Kane netted twice as England fought their way past Croatia in their World Cup opener | Source: GETTY

"Physically, the guys that came on in the final 20 minutes kept the level really high.

"In the end, we had too much for a really great team who will go far in the tournaments themselves."

Reflecting on the game as a whole, Kane described it as "one of my favourite ever moments in an England shirt".

He said on the Lions Den: "I know it's just the first game, and we're not getting carried away, but just that emotional connection with the fans, we know how much it means to them.

Image from: Bukayo Saka unlikely to start in England's second World Cup game against Ghana
England Croatia graphic | Source: GETTY/GB NEWS

"I think they see how much it means to us. We have that connection right now, but just that moment, singing 'Wonderwall' in the stadium, everyone knew the words, and that was a really special moment, I thought.

"As first games go, to have that kind of support from everyone, and we know back home is the same. We know there would be plenty of beer getting thrown around, with it being a night game, so we love that stuff.

"All the squad are fans, we've grown up watching England. We've grown up in those environments, and to be on the other side now doesn't mean that we're disconnected.

"It just means that we're trying to give the fans now special moments, like Wednesday. So, hopefully, we can have a few more."

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