Saka declared fit to start as Rice calf concern clouds England's World Cup camp

Bukayo Saka is fit to start for England at the 2026 World Cup, manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed, but the Three Lions face a fresh concern over Declan Rice after the Arsenal midfielder was seen limping with heavy strapping on his left calf following their 0-0 draw with Ghana in Group L.

Saka, 24, had been sidelined to the bench for England’s opening two group games as he managed an Achilles problem that troubled him during the latter stages of the Premier League season. After training fully with the first-team squad during preparations for the Ghana fixture, Tuchel confirmed the winger is now pain-free and available to start ahead of the final group game against Panama in New Jersey.

“Bukayo is getting better and better, feels no more pain and he is ready to go,” Tuchel said, though he stopped short of confirming whether Saka would start ahead of Noni Madueke, who has filled the right-wing berth in both matches so far. “It’s another big thing on the right wing between Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka — and the beautiful thing is they do it for Arsenal as well.”

The more pressing concern for Tuchel is Rice. The 27-year-old completed the full 90 minutes against Ghana but was spotted walking gingerly through the mixed zone afterwards, sparking fears over his involvement against Panama. Rice had already been carefully managed in the group opener against Croatia, though Tuchel acknowledged he could not rotate too heavily as England laboured to a point.

“The point where he is now is one of the very best midfielders in the world,” Tuchel said of Rice. “You see a humble, humble footballer — humble, ready to be a team player, ready every day to give energy and quality into the group and just ready to learn every day. His career makes him one of the very best at the moment.”

England currently sit top of Group L on goal difference, level on points with Ghana, who beat Panama in their opening fixture. Croatia picked up their first points of the tournament after Ante Budimir’s second-half strike secured a win, tightening the group standings ahead of the final round of fixtures.

Tuchel confirmed that all players — including Marc Guehi and Marcus Rashford — are available for selection, with the knockout rounds drawing closer as England look set to face a round-of-32 clash on 1 July.