Is Bukayo Saka playing for England tonight? Arsenal wingers in healthy World Cup competition

After winning their World Cup opener with a certain joie de vivre, can England continue the feel-good factor? On Wednesday, Thomas Tuchel's team beat Croatia 4-2 in Arlington, Texas, and there was Arsenal involvement in pretty much every goal. Noni Madueke was fouled by Luka Modrić for the penalty Harry Kane tucked away, at the second attempt, before Declan Rice's corner was headed home by Kane. You all like Rice corners now, huh?!

Shortly after the break, a ball over the top towards Madueke, this one is the most tenuous, was picked up by Jude Bellingham to lash home a third, before Bukayo Saka played in Marcus Rashford for the fourth. Now, as the Three Lions prepare to face Ghana in Foxborough on Tuesday night, the question remains, how many Arsenal players be in Tuchel's starting lineup this time?

Is Bukayo Saka expected to play for England tonight?

In short, it would be something of a surprise if Saka was chosen to start against Ghana. The 24 year old is currently nursing an Achilles tendinitis issue which saw him sit out a handful of matches in April following the Carabao Cup Final. This has limited his minutes across all three of England's fixtures in June, including the two friendlies, hence why he was only on the bench against Croatia.

Having said that, as of Sunday, Saka has now taken part in full training with the rest of Tuchel's squad. Before this, he has been restricted to individual work. However, this does not guarantee he will be straight back in the XI. Noni Madueke, his understudy for both club and country, we excellent at Jerry World last mid-week, so may have done enough to see keep his place. Either-way, there will be an Arsenal player on England's right flank, alongside club mate Declan Rice at the base of midfield.

How Bukayo Saka has performed for England recently

By coming off the bench in Texas six days ago, Saka earned his 50th England cap, a more than impressive return for a 24 year old. Across these matches, the winger has scored 14 times for his country so far, including netting against Wales and Serbia at Wembley in 2025.

Saka always performs for England, netting three times during the last World Cup in Qatar, as well as saving the Three Lions from elimination at Euro 2024, curling home a late equaliser against Switzerland in Düsseldorf. Thus, it is understandable why Tuchel and Gareth Southgate before him want to have Saka in their team albeit, with England planning to be in America for the long haul, there's no need to rush him back.

England team news vs Ghana

Aside from the Madueke-Saka debate on the right flank, Tuchel really has two decisions to make. At centre-back, John Stones was very rusty against Croatia, so bringing in Marc Guéhi seems sensible. Meantime, on the left flank, Marcus Rashford was substantially more sharp than Anthony Gordon on the left flank, meaning the former Barcelona man is likely to come in for the future Barça forward.

If England win this one, and Panama do not beat Croatia in Toronto later on, the Three Lions will be guaranteed to go through as group winners. Looking ahead to a round of 32 tie at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on 1 July, Tuchel would surely heavily rotate against Panama in New Jersey, which would be good news for his squad members yet to see any minutes thus far, which includes Eberechi Eze.

England predicted lineup vs Ghana

Jordan Pickford.

Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi & Nico O'Reilly.

Elliot Anderson & Declan Rice.

Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham & Marcus Rashford.

Harry Kane.

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