Saka: England Have Talent and Belief to Win World Cup

England winger Bukayo Saka says the Three Lions have the ‘talent, passion and confidence’ to finally win the FIFA World Cup after years of near misses in major tournaments.

The 24-year-old Arsenal star, who has 49 international caps, was part of Gareth Southgate’s side that reached the semi-finals in Russia in 2018, the quarterfinals in Qatar in 2022, and twice fell at the final hurdle in the European Championship.

Speaking at England’s training base in Kansas City ahead of Wednesday’s Group L opener against Croatia in Arlington, Texas, Saka stressed the importance of belief: “With each tournament it was a different lesson, especially reaching two finals. When I look around in the team I see the talent we have, the passion, the confidence. We have some real winners, some real leaders. With belief I think we can go to the next step.”

Saka added that Arsenal’s recent Premier League title win has given him and his club teammates extra confidence heading into the tournament.

“I think for myself and the other boys from Arsenal, we have a confidence and a freedom that we can approach the World Cup in. I think that will definitely improve us.”

England manager Thomas Tuchel recently noted that Saka’s fitness would need careful management after an Achilles injury late in the domestic season. However, the forward confirmed he is ‘ready to go’ for the opener.

England will also face Ghana and Panama in Group L as they aim to finally lift the trophy that has eluded them since 1966.