Bukayo Saka has confessed that the England squad has not fully moved on from the dramatic loss against Argentina in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions led the match but conceded in injury time, ultimately losing 2-1.
On Tuesday, Thomas Tuchel held a meeting with the team where the players reflected on what transpired at the World Cup, aiming to turn the page as they embark on a new international cycle.
Saka opened up about the lingering emotions:
Of course, that scar is still with us. We believed, everyone was so united and confident we could do it. It wasn’t just us, the whole country believed in us.
Now we’re trying to put an end to that chapter and focus on the new season ahead with the national team. You try to move on as quickly as possible, but a scar is a scar — it will heal in its own time.
In the semi-final against Argentina, the Arsenal winger found himself on the bench as Tuchel opted for more defensive substitutions in a bid to protect their lead. However, just three days later, Saka returned to the starting XI and netted a hat-trick in the play-off for third place against France, which England won 6-4.
Saka further noted:
It was tough not to be on the pitch. After the match against Argentina, there was a lot of discussion and speculation around the decisions made, but now that a new camp and a new season have begun, I want to look forward and not dwell on it.
You have to fully trust the manager's decisions. He trusts you when he puts you on the pitch, and you must trust him when he makes calls for the team as a whole. That's how football works.
England has gathered for the first time since the World Cup as they prepare for the new Nations League season. According to Saka, the team is now completely focused on the four group-stage matches ahead and their goal of progressing to the next stage of the tournament.
