England midfielder Declan Rice plays a crucial role for the Three Lions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He adapted quickly to play right-back during England’s 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the Round of 32. Rice described those 12 minutes as the toughest of the match. His performance will be vital as England prepares for the challenging quarterfinal.
England’s manager Thomas Tuchel substituted Rice before halftime in the 2-1 win over Norway. Tuchel explained to BBC Sport that Rice had been struggling due to illness, spending most of the previous three days bedridden. Tuchel said they needed to decide between Elliot Anderson and Rice, opting to save Rice for the semifinals.
Rice faced a sickness bug and the intense Miami climate added to his difficulties. Daily Mail’s Craig Hope mentioned that Rice, now 27, feels better and joined training on Monday. Despite managing hamstring and back issues, Rice feels prepared to play against Argentina in Atlanta on July 15.
England reached the semifinal following challenging matches. They defeated Mexico at the Azteca in the Round of 16, becoming the first team to win there against the host since 2013, even playing with 10 men. Norway pushed England to extra time in Miami, which England’s captain Harry Kane described as more challenging than Mexico.
Now, England faces reigning champions Argentina, with Lionel Messi leading the competition. Their goal is to win the title for the first time since 1966. Meanwhile, France and Spain will battle in the other semifinal. The final is set for Sunday, July 19.
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