World Cup 2026: Declan Rice to be England vice-captain, says manager Thomas Tuchel

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice will be England’s vice-captain at the World Cup.

Rice has earned 72 caps for the Three Lions and will be one of the most experienced players in Thomas Tuchel’s starting line-up.

The 27-year-old helped Arsenal win the Premier League for the first time since 2003-04 and reach the Champions League final, which they lost on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain last weekend.

Rice filled in as captain in the absence of Harry Kane in the October friendly against Wales, while Ollie Watkins replaced Kane in the England attack.

“I think I would say Declan is my vice-captain,” Tuchel said afterwards Saturday’s friendly win against New Zealand.

Asked if Rice knew he had the role, the England manager added: “That’s a good question. I was just thinking about it. Is it an official thing.

“But I think we talked about it when Harry wasn’t in camp with us. We started with Ollie and I think Declan was captain. That’s where I told him.”

Rice and his Arsenal team-mates Bukayo Saka, Noni Maduke and Iberechi Eze have now joined England’s training camp in the UK and began work with the group in Florida on Sunday.

Tuchel’s side have one more friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday and will play a behind-closed-doors game against Miami FC before traveling to their Kansas City base on Saturday.

The Three Lions begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17 and face Ghana and Panama in Group L.