Despite starting just twice in the 2026 tournament, the Arsenal star sits one assist away from surpassing David Beckham and Harry Kane to claim England’s all-time tournament assist record.
Will Bukayo Saka break the England World Cup assist record?
Bukayo Saka is eyeing up an elusive record despite playing limited minutes in the 2026 World Cup.
The 24 year old right winger has played a total of 192 minutes at the tournament so far, playing just 38% of the total minutes that England have played in the 5 fixtures they have completed (totalling to 500 minutes inc. added time) starting just twice in games vs Panama and Mexico.
Despite the limited game time, Bukayo Saka is just one assist away from completing an England record for the most assists in a single World Cup campaign. The Arsenal star boy has so far provided three assists, including Rashford’s goal in England’s opening 4-2 victory over Croatia in Group L, Bellingham’s opening goal in the 2-0 victory vs Panama also in Group L, and the opening goal against Mexico at The Azteca in the Round of 16, also scored by Jude Bellingham in which England won a memorable fixture 2-3.
Saka finds himself in some good company, with only David Beckham (2002) and Harry Kane (2022) having provided three assists in a single World Cup campaign. With England through to the Quarter-Finals and dreams of continuing into the tournament further, Bukayo Saka will be eyeing up the number 1 spot with another assist.
Bukayo Saka celebrates at Full Time with teammate Morgan Rogers after his assist helps England to a memorable 2-3 victory at The Azteca against Mexico (Reuters)With aspirations of a Final still fully intact for England, Saka won’t only have eyes for beating his Nations record, but the record of the whole tournament all together. The record currently held by Pele (6 assists in the 1970 World Cup) is set to come under serious threat. Michael Olise of France has already registered five and leads the way in the 2026 edition of the tournament, and with Deschamp’s Les Bleus looking the inform team, the 56 year-old record is in serious danger of being shattered not just once, but multiple times depending on how deep into the tournament some nations go. Brahim Diaz of Morocco (4 assists) , Martin Odegaard of Norway (3 assists) and Andreas Schjelderup also of Norway (3 assists) all remain in the competition and also have their eyes firmly on the record held by the 3 time World Cup winner.
However, the numbers put up by Saka seem even more impressive with the limited minutes and continuing achilles issues that he is having to contend with. England continue their journey with a Quarter-Final showdown against Norway on Saturday 11th July and regardless of whether he starts or not, he will no doubt be eyeing up an English record in an attempt to see his Nation into only their 4th ever World Cup semi-final (prev. 1966, 1990 & 2018.) where a date against one of Argentina, Egypt, Switzerland or Colombia would be on the cards.
