John Barnes Points to Fitness as Bukayo Saka’s Key Challenge at 2026 World Cup, Not Goal Scoring

England legend John Barnes has put the spotlight on what he sees as the major hurdle for Bukayo Saka heading into the 2026 World Cup. During an exclusive chat with GOAL, Barnes stressed that Saka's goal-scoring record is not what should matter most at this stage.

Saka’s Recent Form and Fitness Worries

Fresh from celebrating Arsenal’s first Premier League title in over two decades, Saka has also endured the disappointment of a Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Yet his true battle lies in managing persistent physical problems, particularly a nagging Achilles injury that has lingered into the international tournament.

He was sidelined initially, watching from the bench as England kicked off their World Cup campaign against Croatia, with teammate Noni Madueke preferred on the right wing. Training participation has been limited as England prepared for their match against Ghana.

Is Saka Still England’s Top Choice on the Wing?

"It’s his fitness. His form has been great for Arsenal, but it’s his fitness," Barnes told GOAL. "Madueke is fit, so he might be ahead of him right now. Tuchel will know how much Saka can influence games. We see his quality, but the biggest question is his fitness."

Barnes highlighted that the decision to start Saka depends more on his current physical condition than on his talent or recent performances.

The Debate Over Saka’s Goal Scoring

Last season, injuries limited Saka to 11 goals in all competitions, seven in the Premier League. When asked if he needs to boost those numbers, Barnes was clear:

"His goal output doesn’t have to be high if they win the league. If England wins the World Cup and he doesn’t score, it doesn’t matter. What counts is being part of a winning team."

Barnes went on to explain that individual goal tallies are less important than teamwork and creating chances for teammates like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. He believes manager Thomas Tuchel focuses on collective performance rather than personal stats.

Managing Saka’s Fitness Ahead of Crucial Matches

Tuchel has taken a cautious approach with Saka’s fitness during the tournament, avoiding unnecessary risks. After bringing him on against Croatia—where Saka contributed to Marcus Rashford’s goal—Tuchel said, "Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready. By the last group game, he should be fully fit."

As England prepares for their next match against Ghana, Saka remains on an individual training plan indoors, separate from the rest of the squad. Whether he will be ready to start against Panama in the final Group L fixture remains uncertain.

World Cup Culture Celebrated by Fans

To mark the excitement around FIFA World Cup 2026, ticket marketplace viagogo launched a unique barber shop experience called World Cuts. At Ruffians Barber Shop in Shoreditch, fans could adopt iconic football hairstyles inspired by legendary players such as Carlos Valderrama, David Beckham, and Chris Waddle. Manchester United superfan United Strand (Frank Ilett) embraced the event by cutting his long hair into these historic styles.