Saka Trains Alone — Ghana Clash Raises Injury Stakes for England

June 24, 2026 — Lungelo Mthethwa 3 min read

Bukayo Saka completed a solo training session on Monday as England stepped up preparations for their World Cup group-stage encounter against Ghana, raising questions about the Arsenal forward's availability for the clash in Qatar.

Arsenal Star Works Separately From Squad

Saka was spotted training away from the main England group at their Doha base, according to team sources familiar with the session. The 22-year-old winger, who scored twice in England's opening World Cup victory, appeared to be managing a minor muscular concern that has prompted medical staff to adopt a cautious approach. England manager Gareth Southgate is expected to provide an update on Saka's status ahead of Thursday's fixture.

The Arsenal academy graduate has become central to England's attacking plans since establishing himself in the senior setup. His ability to feature against Ghana could prove decisive given the rivalry between the two nations and the three points at stake in Group B.

Ghana Eye Upset Against Favourites

Ghana arrived in Qatar having suffered a heavy defeat in their World Cup opener, leaving the Black Stars under pressure to respond against England. The west African side boasting several Premier League players, including Arsenal's Mohamed Kudus, will view Thursday's match as an opportunity to revive their campaign and silence a dominant England fanbase expected in Doha.

Chelsea defender Tariq Lamptey and Brighton midfielder Mohammed Kudus provide Ghana with pace and creativity capable of troubling England's defence. The squad trained in full on Monday evening, with coach Otto Addo expressing confidence his players could exploit any uncertainty surrounding Saka's participation.

Commercial Stakes Rise With Uncertainty

The mere suggestion of Saka's potential unavailability has rippled through sports betting markets. Major bookmakers reported a surge in wagers placed on alternative first-goal scorers for England following the solo training images, with odds on Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford shortening notably. Trading volumes on football-specific markets rose by a reported 18% within hours of the training footage circulating on social media.

England's commercial partners, including the Football Association's broadcast rights holders, face significant exposure if their marquee attacking talent cannot feature. Television ratings for the Ghana match hinge partly on star names remaining on the pitch, with advertisers having paid premium rates to associate with England's World Cup journey.

Arsenal Monitoring Winger's Recovery

Arsenal's medical department has maintained contact with England staff regarding Saka's condition, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The club invested heavily in protecting their asset ahead of a demanding December fixture list that includes key Premier League matches against Wolves and Nottingham Forest. Saka has logged significant minutes this season, with only Ben White and William Saliba exceeding his 630 league minutes for Arsenal.

The Gunners sit top of the Premier League table and face a congested festive schedule that makes player management critical. Any exacerbation of Saka's issue during the World Cup could complicate Arsenal's title challenge, with financial implications tied to Champions League qualification worth an estimated £60 million in broadcast and sponsorship revenue.

England Squad Depth Faces Test

Should Saka fail to recover in time, Southgate possesses alternatives in Jack Grealish, Foden, and Newcastle's Anthony Gordon. All three trained with the main group on Monday and demonstrated sharpness in possession-based exercises observed by reporters at the Al Sadd Stadium complex.

England's backroom staff have managed player workloads throughout the tournament, with Harry Kane and John Stones also undergoing individual programmes during recovery days. The approach reflects lessons learned from previous tournaments, where fatigue contributed to late-stage exits in major competitions.

What Happens Next

England conduct their final full training session on Tuesday before departing for the Al Bayt Stadium, where Thursday's match kicks off at 16:00 local time. Southgate addresses the media at 19:00 GMT on Tuesday, where he is expected to confirm whether Saka has taken part in group drills. Ghana hold their own press conference earlier in the day, with Addo likely to outline his tactical approach regardless of Saka's status. Markets and supporters alike will scrutinise every detail for clues about which XI takes the field.