Bukayo Saka has declared himself available for England’s opening Group L match against Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, acknowledging the risks involved in playing through his Achilles issue.
The Arsenal winger, who has been struggling with a persistent Achilles tendon problem, revealed that he is prepared to gamble on his fitness for the benefit of the team. The 24-year-old admitted that players often take the field when not at their best, knowing they will be judged the same.
“As players, it’s the biggest gamble, especially if you’re not feeling your sharpest,” Saka said. “You have the choice whether you don’t play or you put yourself out there knowing people are going to judge you the same.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel had previously acknowledged that Saka was unable to train on consecutive days leading up to the tournament. However, Saka confirmed on Monday that he felt ready to feature in the crucial opener in Dallas.
With England aiming to start their World Cup campaign on a positive note, Saka’s availability provides a significant boost, despite the lingering fitness concerns.