England’s World Cup dream hit a snag on Friday – and Bukayo Saka was left to explain it to the world’s media before he’d even had time to process it himself.
England’s quarter-final team news just got a lot messier; and Bukayo Saka found out the same way the rest of global fotball.
Jarell Quansah, sent off in the dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico, will now sit out Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway at Hard Rock Stadium, a huge blow for a Three Lions side already stretched thin after a bruising round of 16.
“I just found out. Very frustrating. But it’s the way it is now,” Saka admitted, visibly still digesting the update. “We have to deal with it and adapt and be ready for the game.
“I don’t really know what to say. I have no comment on that. That was FIFA’s decision.”
It’s the kind of answer that says plenty without saying anything at all — Saka clearly isn’t happy, but he’s not about to hand the media a headline about England kicking up a fuss with FIFA on the eve of a World Cup quarter-final.
Instead, the Arsenal winger turned the conversation back to the only thing that matters now: Norway.
“This decision is frustrating but we focus on ourselves. We have to adapt, deal with it and pick a team that’s ready for the next game,” Saka said.
Quansah’s absence leaves England needing a reshuffle at the back for a game that already promised to be one of the toughest of the tournament, with Erling Haaland waiting in Miami.
England and Norway kick off at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, with a World Cup semi-final spot on the line.