Thomas Tuchel Says Bukayo Saka Is Unlikely To Start Against Ghana

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has hinted that Bukayo Saka is unlikely to be in contention to start against Ghana on Tuesday as he continues to manage the winger's Achilles problem.

“Thomas Tuchel has admitted Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford have given him a decision to make over his starting line-up against Ghana”

AOL

Saka came off the bench in the 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia and immediately provided an assist to fellow substitute Marcus Rashford, who slotted home England’s fourth.

AOL

Tuchel said, "Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready," and added that he thinks Saka will be ready once England reach the last game of the group against Panama.

The BBC said Tuchel’s view is that Saka is unlikely to start until the final group game against Panama in New Jersey on 27 June, after Saka had insisted he was ready to play and was prepared to "gamble" on his fitness.

Sky Sports also reported Tuchel would nurse Saka through the next week of training but is unlikely to risk him from the start against Ghana.

Tuchel framed the decision as a selection headache created by the competition among England’s attacking options, saying, "Yes, all four of them," when asked about the choices over the wingers.

Sky Sports reported that Tuchel wants England to excite fans Friday 19 June 2026 01:11, and that he and the FA medical team are managing Saka's minutes as he continues to struggle with an Achilles injury.

BBC

In the same context, Sky Sports said Saka only came off the bench in the 72nd minute of England's 4-2 win over Croatia on Monday, and that Tuchel hinted he is unlikely to be risked from the start against Ghana on Tuesday.

talkSPORT described how Tuchel’s squad selection for the World Cup opener in Dallas heat shifted debate after the 4-2 win over Croatia, with the biggest pre-match talking point being Madueke’s inclusion on the right ahead of Saka.

talkSPORT also quoted that Saka is "still not [at] 100%" as it tied the fitness issue to the decision to start Noni Madueke in Dallas.

England’s next match is Ghana on Tuesday, before they play Panama on June 27, with the BBC placing Panama in New Jersey and tying Tuchel’s timeline for Saka’s readiness to that final group game.

“England’s World Cup build-up has taken a sharper turn after Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Bukayo Saka is still managing an Achilles injury”

Ghanaian Times

AOL reported that Tuchel said Saka would get more and more ready and that he thinks the last game of the group is when Saka will be ready, while also linking the decision to whether the game is open and up and down.

Sky Sports said England played in Dallas against Croatia and then face longer trips to Boston (Ghana) and New Jersey (Panama), making rotation and minutes management part of the plan.

talkSPORT added that Tuchel will have to weigh defensive vulnerability after Croatia’s two goals exposed gaps that Ghana and Panama will look to exploit.

The BBC also noted that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has generally kept information about Saka’s condition in-house, but Tuchel’s admission that the 24-year-old has to be managed through at least part of the World Cup has thrust the winger's fitness into the limelight.