Bukayo Saka admits he is taking a "gamble" regarding his fitness by playing at the World Cup, but he believes he is ready to feature ahead of England's opener versus Croatia.

The Three Lions begin their Group L campaign in Dallas on Wednesday, against the team that halted their semi-final run in Russia eight years ago.

Saka was not part of Gareth Southgate's team back then, but having emerged as a key player for club and country, he has become viewed as one of the first names on Thomas Tuchel's teamsheet.

However, Saka played through an Achilles issue to help Arsenal win the Premier League title and finish as Champions League runners-up in the closing weeks of 2025-26, and after using him as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica, Tuchel said the winger is not ready to play a full 90 minutes.

Saka himself, however, is keen to be involved on matchday one, saying: "I don't want to say anything that goes against the manager. 

"But what I would say, between Mikel [Arteta] and Arsenal's medical team and England's medical team, since March they have managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team. 

"I am feeling better than I have felt for the last few months. I am ready to go."

Saka scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in 49 appearances for Arsenal in 2025-26 (all competitions).

It was his fewest goals in a campaign since 2020-21 (seven) and his joint-fewest assists since 2018-19 (none), when he made his Gunners debut and only appeared in four matches (also seven in 2020-21 and 2021-22).

And regardless of his fitness issues, he knows he will be judged harshly if he underperforms in the coming weeks.

"As players, it's the biggest gamble, especially if you're not feeling your sharpest," Saka added. 

"You have the choice, whether you don't play or you put yourself out there, knowing people are going to judge you the same.

"At the end of the day, people don't really care how you're feeling, they expect you to deliver, they expect you to perform. 

"I'm happy to take the gamble. It paid off, I'd say. I’m going to continue doing that. But I am feeling a lot better than I did in March and I'm ready to go."

If Tuchel opts to hold Saka back, his club-mate Noni Madueke is thought likely to start on the right wing, with Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon also expected to make the lineup in support of Harry Kane.