Bukayo Saka faces a fitness gamble ahead of England’s opening World Cup match against Croatia, as the 24-year-old Arsenal winger continues to manage a persistent Achilles injury that has limited his recent playing time. Saka, who could earn his 50th international cap in the match scheduled for Dallas, expressed confidence in his recovery but acknowledged the challenges posed by his condition.

Since sustaining the injury in March, Saka has missed much of the international fixtures and club matches, including the entire April period. He has only played the full 90 minutes once since the injury—in a May Premier League game against Burnley. England manager Thomas Tuchel has signaled caution, stating it is “very unlikely” Saka will start and finish matches at the tournament. Tuchel also highlighted the need to manage the winger carefully due to the physically demanding nature of the competition, which is held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada in a taxing climate and schedule.

Despite these concerns, Saka emphasized his willingness to take the risk. “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 that people are going to judge you the same,” he said. He added that he felt significantly better than he did earlier in the year and credited the combined efforts of Arsenal’s medical staff, under Mikel Arteta, and England’s medical team with facilitating his recovery. Saka declined to confirm whether he was fully fit but indicated he was “ready to go.”

Saka’s Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke, also 24 and a right winger, may start in his place against Croatia, reflecting the competition for positions on the England side and the strategic need for rotation in the hectic tournament environment. While they are rivals for the same position both at club and international levels, Saka described their relationship as supportive and close, saying they push each other and have mutual respect.

England’s attacking approach under Tuchel places significant emphasis on wing play, with wingers expected to challenge defenders directly, make quick combinations, and deliver creative opportunities into the penalty box. Saka is considered one of the most creative players in this system and often takes corner kicks from the right flank.

In recent matches, Saka has featured primarily as a substitute, including a strong 27-minute performance against Costa Rica last week. Whether Tuchel opts to start him or use him off the bench remains an open question, balancing Saka’s talent against his fitness constraints.

The World Cup’s introduction of hydration breaks, dividing matches into quarters, was also a topic of discussion. Saka acknowledged they could be both beneficial and disruptive, depending on the flow of the game and the extreme playing conditions. However, he refrained from commenting on the breaks’ impact on spectators, choosing to focus on his preparation and performance.

As England prepares to face Croatia, Saka’s fitness and form will be closely monitored as part of a broader strategy to navigate the demands of the tournament while maximizing the squad’s attacking potential.