Bukayo Saka Practices Alone As England Prepares For World Cup 2026 Game Against Ghana

Bukayo Saka, Arsenal winger and England's rocker, practiced alone, while the entire team was busy preparing for their second match against Ghana in the World Cup 2026. In the practice conducted this Saturday, Saka was not included in the group and instead underwent a personalized program within the training facility. It's part of his treatment of long-suffering Achilles tendinitis, which started back in March.

England and Ghana will battle for the top of Group L after both won their first matches. Their clash will take place in Boston this Tuesday evening (21:00 BST).

At the Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, head coach Thomas Tuchel led the practice of 25 of the 26 England players. The presence of players from the KC Royals and St Louis Cardinals, who are also holding their own games at the same venue, seemed even more inspiring.

Even though the condition was not perfect, Saka still entered the last match against Croatia, and even provided an assist for Marcus Rashford's goal on the fourth time the ball hit for England with a score of 4-2.

According to Tuchel, they said before the start of the tournament that it is necessary to carefully manage the minutes and game of Saka, who is suffering from Achilles tendinitis. Although the player stressed that he is ready to fight for the team even if it means risking his health, Tuchel made it clear that he is unlikely to start until the final Group L match against Panama in New Jersey on Saturday, June 27 (22:00 BST).

"Bukayo is ready and we continue to strengthen his condition," Tuchel said. "I'm sure that by the time the last match in the group stage comes, he'll be fully utilized."

Arsenal, led by coach Mikel Arteta, have been carefully guarding the issue of Saka's health, but now that Tuchel has revealed the true state, the benefit of managing an important player in the midst of a big tournament has come to the fore. Saka could reclaim his starting spot if necessary against Ghana, but Tuchel will prioritize the total recovery of his star winger for the next, tougher matches.

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