Bukayo Saka was the only England player absent from group training on Saturday as the Three Lions continued preparations for their second 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L match against Ghana.
The Arsenal winger remained indoors to follow an individual training programme as he continues to manage an Achilles problem that has troubled him since March.
England will face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, with both teams entering the contest after opening their World Cup campaigns with victories.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel oversaw training at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, with 25 of his 26-man squad taking part. Members of Major League Baseball sides Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals, who played each other on Friday night, were also present to watch the session.
Saka came off the bench in England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia on Wednesday and made an immediate impact, providing the assist for Marcus Rashford’s goal.
Ahead of the tournament, Tuchel revealed that Saka’s workload would need to be carefully managed due to an Achilles tendinitis issue.
Despite the injury concern, the 24-year-old has insisted he is fit to play and willing to take risks to help England’s World Cup campaign.
However, Tuchel suggested Saka is unlikely to start a match until England’s final Group L fixture against Panama in New Jersey on June 27.
“Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready,” Tuchel said. “I think once we go to the last game of this group he will be ready.”
Saka has been dealing with the injury for several months. While there were concerns within Arsenal about the issue, the club considered him fit enough to play regularly during their successful Premier League title run.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has largely kept details of Saka’s condition private, but Tuchel’s comments have brought the winger’s fitness into sharper focus during the World Cup.
The England boss appears determined to protect one of his key attacking players, ensuring Saka is fully fit for the latter stages of the tournament, although he could still feature against Ghana if circumstances demand.
