Thomas Tuchel revealed the reasons behind the limited use of Bukayo Saka at the 2026 World Cup, despite the Arsenal winger's impressive performance in England's third-place triumph. After scoring a hat-trick in the epic 6-4 victory against France in the bronze medal match, the coach explained the tactical and physical factors that influenced Saka's playing time during the tournament.
Saka, who was expected to play a prominent role from the outset, only started in the last group stage match, which had no bearing on qualification, against Panama. He then returned to the bench against the Democratic Republic of Congo, reappearing in the starting eleven against Mexico, where he provided a crucial assist in the 3-2 victory. Tuchel opted not to use him in the semi-final defeat to Argentina, but decided to start him in the match against France, where he shone with three goals.
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The coach spoke to BBC Sport about the performance of the 24-year-old: “He did everything right. I had a feeling in the semi-final that [Morgan] Rogers would be involved in something special. That was the decision.” Tuchel highlighted the physical demands and the need to manage substitutions due to cramps and the intense pace of the matches. He also emphasized that Saka “showed he is a key player. There was never any doubt. I wasn't aware that he had scored a hat-trick. I lost track of the scorers, but it was brilliant.”
O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO
The victory over France secured England's best result since the 1966 World Cup title. Tuchel pointed out the quality of the team and the importance of the win: “I've said it before, this team has created something very special and has shown it again. Eight years ago they [France] were champions, four years ago they were in the final. There is a small difference, but we want to close it.” The coach stressed that the match against France was “the first step to closing that gap” and immediately pointed to the next challenge: “The next will be against Spain in the Nations League.”
Regarding his motivation and physical condition, amid doubts about his future in the role, Tuchel stated confidently: “Seeing a team fight like this gives you energy. The fatigue will come later. We will still feel the pain tomorrow, which will be the end, and that will take a while. But overall, this gives me more energy than it takes away.”
With this hat-trick, Bukayo Saka confirmed his importance to the England national team, leaving behind doubts about his usage and establishing himself as one of the standout figures heading into the upcoming international challenges. The management of the squad by Tuchel and the players' ability to respond in decisive moments promise to be crucial for England's future in world football.
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