By our reporter 19.7.2026
Bukayo Saka stole the show in England’s 6-4 win over France in Saturday’s third place tie of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and he felt he could have been given more playing time by coach Thomas Tuchel.
Saka did not get a start in the run up to their final game of the tournament; Tuchel was not convinced about Saka’s fitness even as English fans and commentators wanted him to get the nod most especially against Argentina in the semi-final. But according to Tuchel he felt Morgan Rogers had more to offer against Argentina.
“I would love to have played more,” Saka told the BBC.
“But of course, it’s not the time to talk about out that now. I try to do my talking on the pitch. It’s done now. Move on.”
Saka noted that he has always been fit and ready to play.
Speaking on Saka’s outing against France Tuchel noted that the Arsenal attacking midfielder didn’t disappoint, but because of the tense atmosphere of game against France he did not notice Saka scored a hat-trick.
“He did everything right,” Tuchel said
“Bukayo showed he was a key player, that was never a doubt. I was not even aware he had a hat-trick [against France]. I lost the overview of the goalscorers.”
Saka became the second man in England World Cup history to score a hat-trick. Geoff Hurst was the first player to achieve the feat in 1966 against West Germany.