World Cup 2026: Bukayo Saka trains alone as England prepares to play Ghana

Bukayo Saka was the only player not involved in group training as England continued their preparations for their second match at the World Cup against Ghana.

The Arsenal winger sent Saturday’s session indoors to work on a separate program as he continues to deal with an Achilles problem he has been dealing with since March.

England face Ghana on Tuesday with both sides in Boston (21:00 BST). Group L begins With a victory.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel was on the practice field with his 25 players at SOAP Soccer Village in Kansas City as a baseball team.

Saka left the bench and came inside 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesdayand assisted Marcus Rashford, England’s fourth substitute.

Ahead of the tournament, Tuchel said Saka would need to be managed early on with what is understood to be an Achilles tendinitis problem.

Saka insisted he was ready to play and was ready to “gamble” on his fitness to help the team during the World Cup.

However, Tuchel said the 24-year-old is unlikely to start until the final Group L game in New Jersey on Saturday 27 June (22:00 BST) against Panama.

“Bukayo is ready and will be more ready,” Tuchel said. “I think once we get to the last game in this group he will be ready.”

Saka has been carrying the issue for some time, and while Arsenal had concerns behind the scenes, they deemed the forward fit enough to start regularly during their victorious title run.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is often very cautious about his players’ injury concerns and usually keeps information on Saka’s condition to himself.

But Tuchel’s admission that the 24-year-old will have to manage for at least part of the World Cup has pushed the winger’s fitness into the limelight.

Tuchel’s recent comments suggest the German is protecting Saka, knowing the winger will likely be a key asset in the latter stages of the tournament – but could also start against Ghana if necessary.