Englandās World Cup 2026 momentum has been hit by fresh concern after Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both became the focus of injury worries ahead of the crucial Group L clash with Ghana.
Thomas Tuchelās side made an explosive start to the tournament with a 4-2 win over Croatia, but that victory appears to have come at a physical cost. The high-tempo performance demanded huge energy from Englandās key players, and now the fitness of two Arsenal stars is under close scrutiny.

Saka has been managing an Achilles problem and has followed an individual training programme rather than joining full team sessions. The winger has already been carefully handled by Tuchel, with England aware that pushing him too hard too soon could risk a bigger setback.
Although Saka came off the bench against Croatia and played a part in Englandās attacking momentum, he is not yet considered fully ready to handle a full workload. That leaves Tuchel facing a delicate decision: protect one of Englandās most dangerous forwards or risk him in pursuit of another group-stage win.
Riceās situation has also caused concern. The midfielder reportedly felt discomfort in his back and hamstring after the Croatia game, raising fears over whether Englandās midfield engine could be affected before the meeting with Ghana.
The good news for England is that Rice has been involved in training again, offering hope that the issue is not serious. However, with the World Cup schedule moving quickly, even minor problems can become major selection headaches.
Tuchel now has to balance ambition with caution. England are top of Group L and know victory over Ghana would put them in a powerful position, but losing either Saka or Rice for the later stages would be a far bigger blow.
Saka brings creativity, direct running and unpredictability. Rice brings control, protection and leadership in midfield. Together, they are central to Englandās hopes of going deep in the tournament.
For now, England fans are left waiting for the final team news ā hoping this double scare proves to be a warning sign rather than the start of a bigger injury problem.


