Bukayo Saka playing through Achilles pain, Tuchel warns ahead of World Cup

England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed Bukayo Saka is continuing to play through the pain of an Achilles problem and will need careful management as the start of the World Cup approaches. The update, given on 9 June 2026, comes after Saka joined the England squad in West Palm Beach following an extra week off granted after his involvement in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Why it matters

Saka is one of England's most influential attacking players and any lingering issue with his Achilles raises selection and workload questions for the national team ahead of a major tournament. With an England friendly against Costa Rica scheduled for 10 June 2026 (kick-off 20:00 UTC), staff will face short-term decisions about minutes and risk management as the World Cup looms large.

What Tuchel said about Saka

Tuchel told reporters that Saka is "playing through the pain barrier" and cautioned that "Bukayo is just not there yet. Some things are missing," emphasising the need to manage the player carefully. The manager's remarks underline that while Saka has reported for international duty, he is not at full capacity and will be handled with caution.

Immediate squad context and rest given to Arsenal players

Saka joined up with the England squad in West Palm Beach on the Saturday before Tuchel's comments after being given an extra week off following his involvement in the Champions League final versus Paris Saint-Germain. Tuchel gave the same extended break to several other Arsenal players in the England group, including Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, according to the report.

• Bukayo Saka is playing through an Achilles issue, according to Thomas Tuchel.
• Tuchel said Saka is "just not there yet" and must be managed carefully.
• Saka joined England's squad in West Palm Beach after an extra week off following the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
• Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke were also given similar extra rest.
• England have a friendly against Costa Rica on 10 June 2026 (kick-off 20:00 UTC).
• Report published on 9 June 2026.

Selection and tactical considerations

Tuchel's comments suggest England's medical and coaching staff will need to balance Saka's value to the side with the long-term priority of having him fit for the World Cup. Management could limit his minutes in preparatory fixtures or ease him back into full training; the report does not confirm whether he will feature in the friendly against Costa Rica on 10 June.

What to watch in the coming days

Immediate signs to monitor are team sheets and pre-match updates for the England v Costa Rica friendly on 10 June 2026 (kick-off 20:00 UTC) and any official statements from the FA or England's medical team about Saka's training load and availability. How Tuchel uses Saka in early tournament build-up will indicate whether the injury is being managed conservatively or whether staff feel short-term involvement is acceptable.

The wider squad rest strategy — the extra week granted to Saka and other Arsenal players after the Champions League final — also reveals a protective approach from Tuchel toward players who finished a long club season, prioritising freshness ahead of international duty.

What happens next

Expect England's staff to confirm squad availability and minute-management plans ahead of the Costa Rica friendly. Any follow-up comments from Tuchel or an FA medical update will be key to understanding Saka's immediate role in the build-up to the World Cup. At present, the priority appears to be protecting the player while keeping him involved with the national team group.