England's squad completed their first training session at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City with temperatures reaching 31°C. During the session, 10 outfield players who started against Costa Rica trained separately: Jude Bellingham, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Reece James. This tactical grouping could signal manager Thomas Tuchel's intended starting lineup for the Croatia fixture in Dallas.
Bukayo Saka remains an option for the starting side after impressing against Costa Rica, but Tuchel confirmed the Arsenal winger requires careful management through the tournament due to fitness concerns. During training, Saka did not train with the separated group and did not move freely, raising questions about his availability for the upcoming match.
The squad settled into their Kansas City base at the Inn at Meadowbrook Hotel in Prairie Village, transported by high-security motorcade. Players appeared focused on preparation despite Friday's theft of England World Cup equipment.
Saka's fitness management and potential absence from the starting lineup could shift market expectations for England's attacking output and team performance projections. His creative ability makes markets sensitive to squad composition changes.