Bukayo Saka does not have a wife. The Arsenal and England star is engaged to his long-term partner, Tolami Benson, but the couple has not yet married. They announced their engagement in November 2025 after dating since around 2020, and remain one of English football’s most private couples.
Who Is Tolami Benson?
Tolami Benson is a 25-year-old fashion influencer and public relations professional from Hatfield, Hertfordshire. She studied public relations and media at Birmingham City University, graduating in 2022. Before building her influencer career, Benson worked as a sales assistant at Harrods and later held roles at PR and advertising firms. She currently works as a senior planning executive at Zenith, balancing a corporate career with her growing public profile.
Benson’s fashion presence has grown significantly since her relationship with Saka became public. She has launched a collection with British retailer River Island, secured brand deals with L’Oréal Paris, and been featured in Vogue. Her signature match-day style, often incorporating Arsenal’s red and white colours or Saka’s squad numbers, has drawn attention from major fashion publications. As of mid-2026, she had amassed 288,000 Instagram followers.
The Relationship Timeline
Benson and Saka are believed to have started dating in 2020, the same year Saka made his senior debut for the England national team. For the first two years, they kept their relationship entirely out of the public eye. Benson explained their approach to The Sunday Times, saying, “It’s nice to have things for yourself”.
The couple’s relationship became public during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Benson was photographed cheering for Saka in the stands. They were later seen together after England’s victory over Wales in the group stage. Since then, Benson has been a regular presence at Saka’s major career moments, including Euro 2024, where she wore a custom jacket featuring the number 87, Saka’s first Arsenal squad number.
The Engagement
Saka proposed to Benson in November 2025 during a private evening at a luxury London hotel. The couple shared the news on Instagram with a series of black-and-white photos captioned “17.11.25”, including images of them dancing and a close-up of Benson’s diamond ring. Sources described the proposal as elaborate and intimate, with Saka organising a special night that left Benson “totally blown away”.
The engagement marked a new chapter for a couple known for their discretion. Unlike many football couples who share their relationships openly on social media, Saka and Benson have deliberately maintained boundaries. Benson told The Sunday Times, “To me he’s just my partner and I know a whole different side to him. I’m used to people coming up to him, but apart from that we live quite a private life”.
Cultural Connection and Yoruba Heritage
Saka has spoken openly about the importance of his Yoruba heritage and how his relationship with Benson reflects those cultural values. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Saka credits his upbringing for shaping his character and approach to life. In an interview with CNN, he described his family’s journey from Nigeria as “one in a million chance” and said, “I wouldn’t be here without them”.
According to Vanguard Nigeria, Saka has emphasised that marrying within his culture matters deeply to him. He stated, “We can’t choose to lose our identity because of love; if that’s not important to anyone, it’s important to me and others”. Benson’s fluency in Yoruba and her understanding of traditional customs have strengthened their bond, and Saka has expressed his desire for their future children to speak Yoruba fluently and carry Yoruba names.Quick Bio: Tolami Benson
Note: Height and net worth figures come from non-authoritative sources and should be treated as approximate. All other details are corroborated by multiple reputable outlets including ELLE, People, and The Sunday Times.
Wedding Plans and Privacy
Benson has offered rare insight into the couple’s approach to their upcoming wedding. Speaking to The Sunday Times Style, she revealed she would love to elope, joking, “My mum would have a heart attack but if I could elope I would. I feel like it starts with you guys, it ends with you guys. Marriage is sacred”.
She has also emphasised that the celebration will prioritise meaning over spectacle. “I think weddings should be fun, so I’m not like, ‘Oh my gosh, I need to have the most Instagrammable wedding,'” she explained. While no wedding date has been announced, reports suggest a summer ceremony after the 2026 World Cup is a likely timeframe.
Saka’s Career and Public Profile
Saka’s relationship with Benson has unfolded alongside his rise as one of Arsenal’s most influential players. The 24-year-old winger signed a contract extension in May 2023 and later committed his long-term future to the club with a deal running until 2030. He has captained Arsenal in Champions League matches and remains a key figure under manager Mikel Arteta.
His profile extends beyond football. In 2026, a Disney+ documentary titled “Bukayo Saka: The Time Is Now” premiered, with Benson attending the New York premiere alongside him. Saka has also been vocal about overcoming the online racial abuse he faced after Euro 2020, telling CNN, “Love always wins because, for all the hatred and the negativity, the love that I received overcame everything”.
What We Know and What Remains Unverified
Verified facts include the couple’s relationship timeline, Benson’s educational background and career, their November 2025 engagement announcement, and Saka’s public statements about his Yoruba heritage. Unverified claims include specific wedding dates, guest lists, and details about the proposal that rely on anonymous sources rather than official statements. The couple has not confirmed a wedding date or location, and Benson has indicated that any ceremony will remain private.
For now, the most accurate description is that Bukayo Saka’s partner is Tolami Benson, his fiancée since 2025. They are not married, and any updates about their wedding would come from official statements or verified interviews with the couple themselves..
Who is Bukayo Saka’s partner?
Saka’s partner is Tolami Benson, a 25-year-old fashion influencer and public relations professional from Hertfordshire . She studied public relations and media at Birmingham City University and works as a senior planning executive at Zenith . She has launched a collection with River Island and been featured in Vogue .
When did Bukayo Saka and Tolami Benson get engaged?
Saka proposed in November 2025 at a luxury London hotel . The couple announced the news on Instagram with black-and-white photos captioned “17.11.25” . Reports described the proposal as a special evening that left Benson “totally blown away” .
Are Bukayo Saka and Tolami Benson married yet?
No, they are not married. Benson has spoken about wanting an intimate wedding and has even said she would elope if she could . She told The Sunday Times Style, “I think weddings should be fun, so I’m not like ‘Oh my gosh, I need to have the most Instagrammable wedding'” . Wedding planning has been delayed until after the 2026 World Cup .
How long have Bukayo Saka and Tolami Benson been together?
They are believed to have started dating in 2020 . Their relationship became public during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Benson was photographed supporting Saka in the stands . They have largely kept their relationship private, and Benson has said, “It’s nice to have things for yourself” .
