Bukayo Saka has declared that England's current squad carries the ideal blend of talent, competition, and unity as the Three Lions chase their first FIFA World Cup title in 60 years at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America. The Arsenal winger, speaking to FIFA ahead of the tournament, said past near-misses have only sharpened the squad's hunger to go all the way.

Saka on Pressure and Self-Belief

The 24-year-old forward acknowledged the weight of national expectation but insisted the squad's internal standards are what drive them. 'We know there's an expectation, but what's important is we have expectations of ourselves,' Saka said. 'Once you have that, there's not really much else that can put that much pressure on you. So we just try to block out all the noise, and we know what we want to achieve.'

Saka has already experienced the highs and lows of major tournament football, having featured in England's run to the UEFA EURO 2020 final, the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and the EURO 2024 final. Each time, the side fell short — but Saka frames those moments as fuel rather than failure. 'For all of them, we went into the tournament with the confidence that we could win, and we came close. We just use that as motivation now,' he said.

Arsenal Title Win Adds Momentum

Saka arrives at the World Cup in career-defining form. He played a central role in Arsenal's Premier League title triumph this season — the club's first in 22 years — giving him and his club teammates an additional layer of confidence heading into the international stage. Several other England players also arrive off the back of successful club campaigns across Europe, adding collective momentum to the squad.

Squad Depth and Team Spirit

Saka was effusive about the quality and character within the England dressing room. 'I see strengths everywhere, and I also see a lot of hunger and passion to win, which is a great balance and is what you need,' he said. He added: 'This team has so much talent, but at the same time so much competition. It's healthy, it's good, it's a great environment, and I think we're all thriving. There's loads of talent, loads of competition, and at the same time, we have a real sense of togetherness as well.'

That combination of depth and cohesion is widely regarded as a key differentiator for competitive international sides, and Saka's assessment suggests England head coach Harry Kane's squad has cultivated both.

Chasing 1966: The Ultimate Dream

England's sole major international title remains the 1966 FIFA World Cup, won on home soil at Wembley. Saka was candid about the weight of that legacy. 'As an England player, they set the standards for us as a team, and obviously we want to follow in their footsteps and achieve what they have. That's the dream. That's what we're working towards, and it would be very, very special if we could achieve that,' he said.

Group Stage Fixtures

England have been drawn in Group L at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where they face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. The side opens its campaign on 18 June against Croatia — a rematch that carries its own historical resonance, given England's semi-final defeat to Croatia at the 2018 World Cup. How the Three Lions navigate the group stage will set the tone for what Saka and his teammates believe can be a historic run.