Thomas Tuchel shares worrisome news about an important England player before the World Cup opener.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel shared some concerns about one player’s fitness during a press conference before their last World Cup warm-up game against Costa Rica.
Tuchel will lead England in their final warm-up match, which takes place at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, June 10.
Unlike their 1-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday, Tuchel will have Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, and Bukayo Saka available. They joined the squad late because they played in the Champions League final.
On the other hand, 17-year-old Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha is leaving the camp after a great Man of the Match performance in the second half of England’s first warm-up game. Ngumoha was one of four young players helping the main 26-man World Cup squad prepare in Florida, along with Alex Scott, Ethan Nwaneri, and Josh King.
At the press conference, Tuchel was asked about several players, including defender John Stones. He said Stones would be ready to start England’s first match against Croatia on June 17, despite some fitness problems over the years. Tuchel also praised Stones’ teammate from Manchester City, Nico O’Reilly, calling him a future top player. He added that he thinks Declan Rice is “one of the best midfielders in Europe.”
When talking about Bukayo Saka, Tuchel said there are some worries about his fitness. The medical team needs to be careful because Saka has been dealing with an injury since March. Tuchel didn’t say exactly how bad it is, which might worry England fans. The 24-year-old has had issues with his hamstring, hip, and Achilles tendon during the 2025/26 season.
Later, Tuchel was asked why England hasn’t won a World Cup since 1966. He said there might not be just one reason but believes England has been close. He thinks once you get to the quarter-finals, you have a real chance to win. Tuchel said it’s best to focus on what can be controlled, like the preparation camp and group stage. He said, “Once you reach the quarter-finals, the belief will be there. But you also need a lot of hard work, respect for your opponents, and some luck.”
Tuchel also named Portugal as one of the favorites to win, thanks to the strong players and coach they have, including some stars from Paris Saint-Germain.
England will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in Group L.