Thomas Tuchel has indicated that Bukayo Saka is unlikely to be named in England's starting lineup for Tuesday's World Cup 2026 group-stage encounter against Ghana, with the head coach continuing to carefully manage the winger's troublesome Achilles injury.

Saka, 24, has been dealing with the problem since the final two months of Arsenal's Premier League-winning season. Speaking after England's 4-2 victory over Croatia on Monday, Tuchel suggested the earliest Saka could be expected to start is the final group game against Panama.

"Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready. Once we get to the last game in the group it is the moment. He was strong yesterday in training in small spaces. It's just a matter of if the game is open and up and down."

Madueke set to keep his place

With Saka eased back in stages, Noni Madueke — Saka's Arsenal team-mate — is expected to retain his starting berth on the right wing against Ghana. Madueke impressed on his World Cup debut against Croatia, winning the penalty from which England scored their opening goal of the tournament and creating several additional chances. He was England's most threatening attacking presence for much of the first half.

Tuchel did concede, however, that the impact of substitutes Saka and Marcus Rashford against Croatia has complicated his selection decisions. Rashford came off the bench to replace Antony Gordon and scored England's fourth goal, while Saka's introduction in the 72nd minute added further energy to the attack.

"All four of them, the wingers. The level they are competing at was the highest level, especially in the last week. We had some difficult decisions to make. But they know that we will need them and the time will come where they will start."

Tuchel calls for attacking freedom

England produced some of their most vibrant attacking football in recent memory during the second half against Croatia in Dallas, and Tuchel promised more of the same for the remainder of the World Cup. Despite acknowledging some defensive issues to resolve, he urged his players to embrace positive, high-energy football.

England registered 22 shots in the match — 11 on target — and recorded 36 touches inside Croatia's penalty area, more than double their opponents' total. Tuchel believes his side should have scored even more.

The squad celebrated with supporters inside Dallas Stadium after the final whistle as fans sang Oasis' Wonderwall, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham visibly moved as they joined in.

"I had a thought in the second half — oh, the people in the pubs they will like this! That's a good watch when we created and created, and went for it. And that's why we watch in a pub all together on a big screen to get emotional, and hopefully we can transmit that."