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Tuchel managing Saka's fitness ahead of World Cup warm-up match

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 9, 2026, 9:12 PM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

Tuchel managing Saka's fitness ahead of World Cup warm-up match

Summary

England head coach Thomas Tuchel is carefully managing Bukayo Saka's fitness as the team prepares for their final warm-up match against Costa Rica on Wednesday. Saka returned from a muscle injury that sidelined him during part of the club season, contributing to Arsenal's Premier League title victory. Tuchel emphasized the importance of gradual buildup for Saka, who is a key player for the squad. He will assess Saka and the rest of the team before finalizing the lineup for the match set for 21:00 BST. England, who have made 11 changes in their previous warm-up match, are prioritizing fitness as they head into the World Cup opener against Croatia next week.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Saka managed with care after recovering from a muscle injury.
•Tuchel will decide on players' minutes during the Costa Rica match.
•John Stones is among players who may see increased playing time.
•England's World Cup opener is against Croatia on June 17.
•Tuchel believes England are challengers, not favorites for the tournament.

Latest Updates

9:12 PMYahoo Sports — England taking care of Saka before World Cup - Tuchel
9:04 PMBBC Sport — England taking care of Saka before World Cup - Tuchel

What they're saying

"
Thomas Tuchel has played down England's chances of winning the World Cup, admitting they are not among the favourites to end 60 years of hurt.
— Sky Sports