Saka discusses England role after World Cup bronze medal

By Hannah Whitfield · Sports Reporter · 19.07.2026

By Hannah Whitfield — 19 July 2026 — 4 min read

England concluded their World Cup campaign with a bronze medal after a 6-4 victory over France in Miami. This result followed a semi-final defeat to Argentina, a match in which Bukayo Saka was an unused substitute despite being fit to play. Manager Thomas Tuchel explained his decision to start Morgan Rogers in that match.

Saka, who scored a hat-trick in the third-place play-off against France, expressed his desire for more playing time during the tournament but stated he would do his talking on the pitch. He also confirmed his fitness, addressing previous concerns about an Achilles problem he had been managing throughout the World Cup.

Tuchel’s Explanation and Saka’s Role

Tuchel faced scrutiny for his team selection and defensive substitutions during the semi-final against Argentina. Anthony Gordon had given The Three Lions a lead, but England ultimately lost the match. Saka, despite his fitness, remained on the bench for the entire game, a decision that drew questions, especially as England’s attack appeared to need refreshing in the second half.

The Arsenal winger started only three of England’s eight games at the World Cup. Following the victory over France, Tuchel was asked about Saka’s limited role. Tuchel stated that Saka had done everything correctly and was a key player, adding that he had a feeling Morgan Rogers would be involved in something special against Argentina due to his physicality.

Tuchel elaborated that the intensity of the game against Argentina forced changes due to cramps and the flow of play. He acknowledged Saka’s importance, stating there was never a doubt about his status as a key player. Tuchel also mentioned that he was not aware Saka had scored a hat-trick against France, having lost track of the goal-scorers, but credited him for a well-deserved performance.

Saka, when asked if he would have preferred a more prominent role, responded, "Of course I would love to have played more but it’s too late to talk about that. I try to do my talking on the pitch and it’s done now, move on." He reiterated his fitness, saying, "I’m fit."

Tuchel affirmed Saka’s continued importance to his England plans, describing him as an excellent and key player. He explained that he felt a responsibility as a coach, given Saka’s history, to manage his workload carefully. Tuchel noted that it was a tough decision to leave Saka out of the semi-final against Argentina, particularly after the Norway match, where he felt Rogers offered something special with his physical presence.

During the Argentina game, Saka was warmed up multiple times, and a change was considered. However, the chaotic nature of the match led to different tactical decisions. Tuchel stressed that his view of Saka had not changed, praising him as a fantastic teammate and footballer, and a key asset for the team.

England’s World Cup Conclusion and Future Outlook

England secured their best World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966 by claiming the bronze medal. The third-place play-off against France was a high-scoring affair, with England winning 6-4. Declan Rice opened the scoring for England, followed by Ezri Konsa and two goals from Saka, giving Tuchel’s side a four-goal lead by half-time.

France mounted a comeback in the second half, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice and Bradley Barcola adding another, creating a tense finish. However, Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Djed Spence was fouled, and Jude Bellingham sealed the victory in the final moments, shortly after Ousmane Dembele scored France’s fourth goal.

Saka reflected on the "crazy, crazy game" and expressed excitement for future tournaments. He acknowledged the team’s progress throughout the competition, stating, "We built and built across the tournament, had some amazing results." He also admitted the semi-final loss to Argentina was painful for the team and fans but emphasized moving forward to the next challenge.

The semi-final defeat to Argentina led to questions about Tuchel’s future as manager. However, the bronze medal performance against France provided a more positive conclusion to the campaign. Tuchel expressed confidence that his team has the ability to close the gap with winning nations. He noted that France, who were champions eight years ago and finalists four years ago, represented a benchmark. Tuchel views the victory over France as a first step in closing that gap, with the next challenge being Spain in the Nations League. The UEFA Nations League campaign is scheduled to begin in September.

Tuchel highlighted the fighting spirit of his team, stating that seeing them compete with such intensity provides him with energy. He acknowledged that the pain of not reaching the final would linger but felt that the overall experience gave him more energy than it took. Saka’s hat-trick made him only the second England player to score three goals in a World Cup knockout match, a feat previously achieved by Sir Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final.

The team’s performance, particularly in the third-place play-off, demonstrated resilience after the disappointment of the semi-final. Saka believes the "noise" of criticism following the Argentina defeat should be used as "fuel" for future success. He told the BBC that criticism is part of the game, and the key is how the team reacts to it. England’s World Cup campaign concluded on Saturday in Miami.

Source: metro.co.uk

Hannah Whitfield

Sports Reporter

As Latest News UK's Sports Reporter, Hannah Whitfield reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name covering the county circuit and Team GB at two Commonwealth Games. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from Loughborough University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Hannah lives in Bristol, where she plays club tennis and coaches a junior side. “Sport is at its best when you let the athletes tell the story.”