'There's still a scar in us' - Saka admits England still carry World Cup pain

England's new international campaign begins at Wembley on Saturday, just nine weeks after their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup final were ended by two late Argentina goals in Atlanta.

Saka, who scored a hat-trick in England's 6-4 win over France in the third-place play-off, said the disappointment remains difficult to forget.

"Obviously, there's still a scar in us," Saka told the BBC.

"When you believed, and everyone was so united and so confident we could do it, not just us, but the whole country."

England had been leading Argentina 1-0 late in the semi-final before Lionel Messi's side struck twice to turn the match around.

Saka was on the bench for the defeat as he continued to manage an Achilles problem during the tournament. Thomas Tuchel brought on defensive options as England tried to protect their lead, but the decision ultimately failed to prevent Argentina's late comeback.

The result brought further criticism of Tuchel's tactics, but the England manager has accepted that the experience must be used to improve the team.

"We have had critical reviews that will stay, of course, behind closed doors," Tuchel said when announcing his Nations League squad.

"I am the biggest critic of myself, and reflection is sometimes necessary to get better, and experience is a crucial part of coaching."

Saka believes England now have to put the disappointment behind them and concentrate on the challenges ahead.

"You try to move on as soon as possible, but you know, a scar is a scar and decides to heal when it heals itself," he said.

"But like I said, we've come here to a new international season, and we've got four massive, difficult group games to try to qualify us in the Nations League, which we're fully focused on."

England will now turn their attention to the Nations League and their longer-term preparations for Euro 2028, which will be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.