BUKAYO SAKA is not in England’s starting XI for their World Cup opener against Croatia.
The Three Lions play their first game of the tournament tonight in Dallas.
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Bukayo Saka is not starting for England against Croatia Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The winger is nursing an injury and his fitness is being monitored Credit: Getty
Saka has not been named in Thomas Tuchel‘s side with Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke taking his place.
JattvibeSport can explain why the 24-year-old might see his minutes restricted during the group stages of the World Cup.
Why is Bukayo Saka not starting for England vs Croatia at World Cup 2026?
Saka has an ongoing achilles issue that is forcing England to take precautions with his game time.
The winger is believed to have picked up the problem during Arsenal‘s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City in March.
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Since then, Saka has completed 90 minutes just once from eight appearances in all competitions.
The issue even forced him off after 83 minutes in the Champions League final against PSG as Madueke came on.
Saka insists that he is “ready to go” for the World Cup, but Tuchel says his fitness is being monitored carefully and he cannot play a full game.
Saka said: “I don’t want to say anything that goes against the manager.
“But what I would say between Mikel [Arteta] and Arsenal’s medical team and England’s medical team, since March they have managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team.
“I am feeling better than I have felt for the last few months. I am ready to go.
“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.
“At the end of the day people don’t really care how you’re feeling, they expect you to deliver, they expect you to perform.
“I’m happy to take the gamble. It paid off, I’d say. I’m going to continue doing that. But I am feeling a lot better than I did in March and I’m ready to go.”
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