England winger Bukayo Saka has admitted that the national team is still dealing with the emotional “scar” from their painful 2026 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina as they begin preparations for a new Nations League campaign.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were close to reaching their first men’s World Cup final since 1966 before Argentina scored twice late in the game to secure a 2-1 victory over the Three Lions.
Although England responded by beating France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place play-off to record their best World Cup finish in 60 years, Saka acknowledged that the disappointment of falling short of the final remains.
Speaking ahead of England’s Nations League opener against world champions Spain at Wembley, Saka reflected on the emotional impact of their World Cup exit.
“Obviously, there is still a scar on us when you believed and everyone was so united and so confident we could do it. Not just us, but the whole country, we felt,” Saka said.
“You try to move on as soon as possible, but you know a scar is a scar—it decides to heal when it heals itself,” the Arsenal winger added.
Despite the lingering disappointment, Saka said the squad is now concentrating on their Nations League campaign and securing qualification for the knockout stages.
“We are trying to draw a line under [the World Cup now and focus on the new international season that we have coming up.
“We have got four massive, difficult group games to try and qualify us for the Nations League [knockouts] that we are really focused on.”
Saka also praised his 16-year-old Arsenal teammate Max Dowman, backing the youngster to earn a senior England call-up in the future.
“I think so,” Saka said when asked about Dowman’s international prospects. “His talent is insane. It’s up to him how far he is going to go in football. His talent is crazy.”
England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley also praised Dowman’s ability but said remaining with the Under-19 squad during the current international window would benefit his development.
“He is more than capable of playing in the under-21s,” Carsley said. “What I do think will happen with the age group he goes to is that he can play the minutes. He can also have that time to consolidate where he is in his career, play with his friends again, and take that little bit of pressure off him.”
“I have no doubt that Max is going to be with the under-21s,” Carsley added. “That is something I am keen to have a conversation with him and his parents on, about the way we see his pathway going, because he is an amazing talent and someone we are very lucky to have.”
