John Barnes Highlights Bukayo Saka's Main Challenge at 2026 World Cup and Why Goals Aren't the Priority

England legend John Barnes has pointed out what he sees as the main challenge for Bukayo Saka during the 2026 World Cup. In an exclusive chat with GOAL, Barnes explained why scoring goals is not the key measure for the Arsenal winger on the international stage.

Fresh from helping Arsenal clinch their first Premier League title in over two decades and playing in the Champions League final, Saka faces significant hurdles at this global tournament. His long-standing Achilles injury continues to cause problems, limiting his ability to perform fully. Although he started England’s campaign on the bench against Croatia, with club teammate Noni Madueke taking the right wing spot, Saka’s fitness remains a question mark heading into the clash with Ghana.

Is Saka Still England’s First Choice on the Right?

Barnes emphasized that Saka’s current form isn’t the issue; it’s how fit he is. He said, “Madueke is fit, so he may be ahead of Saka at this moment. Thomas Tuchel will know exactly how ready Saka is and how much he can impact games. We all know Saka’s quality, so really, it comes down to his fitness. I don’t know how many games he’s had or if Madueke is ahead of him in that respect. From form and quality, Saka’s proven himself. Fitness is the biggest factor deciding whether he starts for England.”

Does Saka Need to Score More Goals?

Last season, injuries limited Saka to just 11 goals across all competitions, with seven in the Premier League. When asked if increasing his goal tally should be a focus, Barnes dismissed the idea, noting that winning titles matters more than individual stats. “His goal output doesn’t have to be great if they win the league, and if England wins the World Cup without him scoring a single goal, it won’t matter. What counts is being part of a team that wins. Tuchel isn’t fixated on individual numbers. If Saka scores more, someone else like Harry Kane might score less. It’s about creating chances for others, like Jude Bellingham and Kane. The way the team plays and supports each other is far more important.”

Barnes believes Tuchel focuses on teamwork and creativity rather than personal statistics, which aligns well with how the England squad functions.

Saka’s Role Managed Carefully by Tuchel

Tuchel has made it clear he won’t rush Saka back too quickly. After bringing him off the bench against Croatia, where he played a key part in setting up Marcus Rashford’s goal in a 4-2 win, the German coach suggested Saka will be more prepared for upcoming matches.

As England prepares for their Group L game against Ghana, Saka has yet to join full training sessions, opting instead for individual indoor work while teammates trained outside. His readiness for the final group match against Panama remains uncertain.

Fans Celebrate World Cup Spirit with viagogo

To mark the excitement around the 2026 World Cup, viagogo launched World Cuts, a unique barber shop experience in Shoreditch where fans could get football-inspired hairstyles reflecting some of the tournament’s most iconic looks. Manchester United superfan Frank Ilett transformed his long hair into styles inspired by legends like Carlos Valderrama, David Beckham, and Chris Waddle, celebrating football culture in a fresh way.