Saka tipped for maiden England start against Panama
By Sky News, June 27, 2026England boss Thomas Tuchel says Bukayo Saka is “free of pain” and “ready to go” for the Three Lions’ final group game with Panama, amid an injury blow to defender Reece James.
Saka started on the bench for England’s first two World Cup games against Croatia and Ghana and made second-half cameos as a substitute. This is due to a long-term Achilles issue that affected his season run-in at Arsenal.
However, Tuchel revealed Saka has spent the last few days feeling back to his normal self after a strict medical process that included consultation with Arsenal.
Ready to go
“For Bukayo, it was the right thing [not to start him yet],” said Tuchel. “We agreed with Bukayo and especially the medical team at Arsenal in tight co-operation that this is the way to build him up.
“He is now, since many days, fully free of pain and discomfort and is ready to go and ready to start.”
Sky Sports News has been told James will be unavailable until well into the knockout stages of the tournament as he battles to recover from a hamstring injury.
James’s absence
Tuchel named Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa as the right-back cover options who can replace James. But the England boss was also questioned as to why he called up centre-back Trevoh Chalobah instead of a natural right-back option, when full-back Tino Livramento picked up a tournament-ending injury earlier this month.
“The thinking of calling Chalobah is to free up Quansah in the right full-back position for us,” said Tuchel. “I saw him playing very strongly there for Liverpool, and he played enough in a back three—which is not so far from the position—in Leverkusen. And we have Djed Spence,”
“No one could see that [James’s injury] coming. Reece was in good shape.
“Konsa played in that right-back position as well for us on a high level. No problem. We would love to have Reece as a key player, but he’s not available. We will find solutions. This is what we do.”
Reports on Friday evening also put Elliot Anderson’s participation against Panama in doubt due to muscle tightness. However, Tuchel said the England midfielder took part in full training on Friday and is available to start.
Despite picking up a calf knock against Ghana, Declan Rice has also been passed fit, but the Arsenal midfielder is one yellow card away from being banned for the round of 32.