Will Bukayo Saka play for England tonight? Arsenal winger may continue World Cup legacy

There are four Arsenal players in Thomas Tuchel's squad this summer, the highest number of Gunners in an England World Cup squad since 2002, never before sending more than this. Bukayo Saka currently has 49 international caps to his name, so will he reach an historic landmark when the Three Lions commence their campaign against Croatia at AT&T Stadium on Wednesday?

Is Bukayo Saka expected to play for England tonight?

Most of the pre-World Cup talk around Saka has been about his fitness. He missed five Arsenal matches in April while nursing an Achilles injury, and issue he is clearly nursing. The 24 year old was chosen to fulfil the pre-match media duties on Tuesday and had this to say about his fitness:

"Arsenal’s medical team and England’s medical team, since March, they have managed me amazingly... I am feeling better than I have felt for the last few months. I am ready to go."

Thus, fitness and and availability will determine whether or not Saka is in Wednesday's starting lineup, but it appears as though he is good to go, at least he says he is.

England's winger depth chart at the World Cup

Potential wide-attacker options including Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White and Jarrod Bowen were all left out of Tuchel's squad. That though is not to suggest he does not have plenty of high-quality wide players at his disposal.

On the left-flank, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon are fighting for that start role. Eberechi Eze appears to be a depth option both for the left hand side, as well as the number ten spot. On the other side, as is the case at Arsenal, Saka is the number one choice, with Noni Madueke his deputy.

The latter started England's final warm-up friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando a week ago, replaced by Saka shortly after the hour mark. Thus, Mikel Arteta and Tuchel appear to be on the same wavelength, If Saka is fit, he starts. If he's not, or requires a breather, Madueke is a decent alternative.

How Bukayo Saka has performed for England recently

Due to injury issues, Saka has actually sat out 11 of England's last 17 internationals, including the first three of 2026. Nevertheless, despite limited minutes, he still scored against both Wales and Serbia at Wembley in the autumn, as well as setting up Harry Kane for a goal in Rīga against Latvia.

Two summers ago, Saka curled home a late equaliser during the quarter-final victory over Switzelrand in Düsseldorf, starting all seven matches in Germany, hoping for a similar extended period in the team stateside throughout this June and July.

List of international goals scored by Bukayo Saka

• 2 June 2021. England 1-0 Austria. Friendly - Riverside Stadium.

• 5 September 2021. England 4-0 Andorra. World Cup qualifier - Wembley.

• 9 October 2021. Andorra 0-5 England. World Cup qualifier - Estadi Nacional.

• 15 November 2021. San Marino 0-10 England. World Cup qualifier - Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle.

• 21 November 2022. England 6-2 Iran X2. World Cup Group B - Khalifa International Stadium.

• 4 December 2022: England 3-0 Senegal. World Cup last 16 - Al Bayt Stadium.

• 26 March 2023: England 2-0 Ukraine. Euro qualifier - Wembley.

• 16 June 2023: England 7-0 North Macedonia X3. Euro qualifier - Old Trafford.

• 6 July 2024: Switzerland 1-1 England. Euros quarter-final - Merkur Spiel-Arena.

• 9 October 2025: England 3-0 Wales. Friendly - Wembley.

• 13 November 2025: England 2-0 Serbia. World Cup qualifier - Wembley.

England predicted lineup vs Croatia

• Jordan Pickford.

• Reece James, Ezri Kosa, John Stones & Nico O'Reilly.

• Elliot Anderson & Declan Rice.

• Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham & Anthony Gordon.

• Harry Kane.

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