John Barnes Points Out Bukayo Saka’s Main Challenge for 2026 World Cup
England legend John Barnes spoke about what he sees as the biggest hurdle for Bukayo Saka ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Arsenal winger, fresh off a Premier League title win, is dealing with fitness issues that could shape his role on the international stage.
Saka’s Recent Struggles With Fitness
The celebrations in north London were huge after Arsenal finally clinched the league title for the first time in 22 years. Saka was part of that success and also played in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, which ended in heartbreak on penalties. Despite his importance to manager Mikel Arteta, ongoing physical setbacks, including a persistent Achilles problem, have affected him.
During England’s opening World Cup match against Croatia, Saka started on the bench, with teammate Noni Madueke taking the right wing spot. Training sessions ahead of the Ghana game showed that Saka hadn’t fully rejoined the group yet.
Is Saka Still England’s First Choice on the Wing?
"It's his fitness. His form for Arsenal has been great, but fitness is the question," Barnes said. "Madueke is fit and might be ahead right now. Tuchel knows how much Saka can influence games. We see his quality, but his fitness is the biggest factor for starting."
Goal Scoring Not a Priority for Saka
Last season, injuries limited Saka to just 11 goals, seven in the Premier League. When asked if he needs to boost his scoring numbers, Barnes dismissed the idea as unimportant for team success.
"His goal output doesn't matter if they win the league. If England wins the World Cup and he doesn’t score, it’s irrelevant," Barnes explained. "What matters is being part of a winning team. Tuchel isn’t focused on individual stats; if one player scores more, another might score less. It’s about creating chances for others like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane."
Managing Saka’s Fitness at the Tournament
Manager Thomas Tuchel is cautious with Saka’s condition, avoiding unnecessary risks. After Saka came off the bench in the Croatia game and helped set up Marcus Rashford’s goal, Tuchel said, "Bukayo is ready and will get more ready. By the last group game, he should be fully fit."
As England prepares for their match against Ghana, Saka continued individual training indoors while the rest trained outside. Whether he’ll be ready for the Panama game remains to be seen.
World Cup Spirit and Fan Engagement
To celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2026, viagogo launched “World Cuts,” a unique barbershop experience recreating famous football hairstyles. Fans could pick a legendary look inspired by icons such as Carlos Valderrama, David Beckham, and Chris Waddle. The event took place at Ruffians Barber Shop in Shoreditch, offering a nostalgic nod to football culture alongside the tournament excitement.
