Declan Rice has been confirmed as England’s vice-captain for the upcoming World Cup, with manager Thomas Tuchel revealing the Arsenal midfielder will serve as Harry Kane’s deputy during the tournament.
Rice, who has made 72 appearances for England, is set to be one of the most experienced players in Tuchel’s squad as the Three Lions prepare for their campaign in the United States.
The 27-year-old arrives at the tournament after a memorable season with Arsenal, helping the club secure their first Premier League title since 2004 and reach the Champions League final. Arsenal’s European run ended in heartbreak last weekend when they were beaten on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain.
Tuchel indicated that Rice had already stepped into a leadership role earlier in the season when Kane was unavailable. The midfielder captained England in a friendly against Wales in October, with Ollie Watkins leading the attack in Kane’s absence.
Speaking after England’s friendly victory over New Zealand, Tuchel confirmed Rice’s status within the squad, suggesting the midfielder has effectively been acting as vice-captain since that Wales fixture.
Rice has now joined England’s training camp in Florida alongside fellow Arsenal players Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze. The quartet began training with the rest of the squad on Sunday as preparations for the World Cup continue.
England will play Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday before facing Miami FC in a closed-door practice match. Tuchel’s team will then travel to their tournament base in Kansas City on Saturday.
The Three Lions begin their World Cup journey on 17 June with a Group L clash against Croatia. They will also face Ghana and Panama as they attempt to secure a place in the knockout stages.