The ‘biggest challenge’ facing Bukayo Saka at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been identified by England legend John Barnes, who believes that the Arsenal winger’s goal tally is not the key factor determining his importance for club or country. In an exclusive conversation with GOAL, Barnes stressed that Saka’s main concern lies in his fitness rather than his goal output, as the player continues to manage injury issues while representing England on football’s biggest stage.

After helping Arsenal to a long-awaited Premier League title, Saka carried his fine form into the summer but also brought with him an injury concern. The Gunners’ celebrations in north London were followed by disappointment in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, where Arsenal suffered heartbreak in a penalty shootout. Despite his immense value to Mikel Arteta’s side, Saka has been struggling with persistent physical problems, particularly a troublesome Achilles issue that has affected his availability.

Saka began England’s World Cup campaign on the bench in their opening fixture against Croatia, with fellow Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke starting on the right wing. The 24-year-old has yet to participate fully in training ahead of England’s next match against Ghana on Tuesday, as the national team continues to monitor his recovery closely.

When asked whether Saka remains England’s go-to option on the right flank, Barnes—speaking for viagogo’s ‘World Cuts’ campaign—told GOAL, “It’s his fitness. His form for Arsenal has been excellent, but his fitness is the question. Madueke is fully fit, so he might be ahead of him right now. Thomas Tuchel knows how fit Saka is and how much he can influence matches. We all know his quality, but it depends entirely on his fitness levels. I don’t know how many games he’s had or whether Madueke is fitter at this stage. Technically and in terms of form, Saka is superb, but his fitness remains the key issue for whether he starts for England.”

Last season, Saka managed 11 goals across all competitions, with seven coming in the Premier League. When asked whether the winger needs to improve his scoring record, Barnes explained, “His goal output doesn’t have to be exceptional if the team wins. If Arsenal lift the league title or England win the World Cup and he doesn’t score, that doesn’t matter. What matters is his contribution to a winning team.”

Barnes further elaborated, “Thomas Tuchel won’t be focusing on individual stats. If Saka and Marcus Rashford score more, it could mean Harry Kane scores less. It’s about the team dynamic—creating opportunities for others. Saka’s value lies in his creativity and teamwork rather than his goal count. As long as he helps the team win, his lack of goals is not an issue. The focus is on collective performance—creating chances for players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, working hard, and playing cohesively. That’s what Tuchel will prioritise, and rightly so.”

Tuchel has assured that he will manage Saka’s workload carefully to ensure he remains fit for the later stages of the tournament. After England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, where Saka came off the bench and played a key role in Marcus Rashford’s goal, Tuchel said, “Bukayo is ready and will continue to get stronger. By the time we reach our last group game, I believe he’ll be fully ready.”

England will face Ghana next before taking on Panama in their final Group L fixture on Saturday. Saka was the only member of the squad to miss group training over the weekend, working indoors on a personal fitness programme while his teammates trained on the pitch.

As excitement builds for the FIFA World Cup 2026, fans around the world are embracing the spirit of the tournament. To celebrate the event and connect supporters with the culture and nostalgia of football’s most iconic moments, viagogo—the global live event ticketing marketplace—launched ‘World Cuts’, an exclusive barber shop experience recreating legendary football hairstyles. The two-day event at Ruffians Barber Shop in Shoreditch allowed fans to choose their football idol and walk away with a World Cup-inspired transformation.

Manchester United superfan Frank Ilett, known as United Strand, marked the occasion by chopping off his long locks and adopting three famous World Cup looks—Carlos Valderrama’s signature curls, David Beckham’s classic mohawk, and Chris Waddle’s iconic mullet—capturing the spirit and history of the beautiful game.