FOOTBALL
Posted on July 13, 2026 9:00 pm | Updated on July 13, 2026 11:29 am Thomas Tuchel shares worrying Declan Rice illness update before World Cup win.
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England boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed that illness kept Declan Rice largely bedridden in the run-up to this week’s game. The setback came just before England’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Norway, though Rice still started the game. He was taken off at half time, and England still went on to win 2-1 after extra time.
Tuchel explains decision to substitute Declan Rice
Tuchel said his players had to deal with tough heat throughout the match in Miami on Saturday. Ezri Konsa also felt the effects, struggling with cramps and hamstring problems during the second half. As reported by BBC, Rice had already been managing a neural issue in his hamstring and lower back. Illness on top of that only made his situation worse in the days before kickoff. Tuchel said Rice trained on the day before the game but was clearly not at his best once it began.
Norway took the lead early through Andreas Schjelderup, and England had to chase the game from behind. Jude Bellingham then equalised just before half time, giving Tuchel a reason to change things at the break. “We made a decision at half time to become more offensive,” Tuchel explained, as reported by ESPN. He said that once the score was level, he did not want to undo that attacking change. Eberechi Eze replaced his Arsenal team-mate and gave England more of a threat down the flanks.
Tuchel also explained the timing behind his decision to take Rice off at the break. He knew Rice could not manage a full ninety minutes in such heat, given his build-up to the game. There was also a chance the game could go to extra time. Tuchel wanted to save his other changes for later in the match, rather than risk running short on options.
Declan Rice’s stats this season, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists Tackles Interceptions Duels Won%
Premier League 36 4 5 70 37 60%
UCL 13 1 2 17 15 56%
England’s FIFA World Cup run continues
Bellingham was not finished either, striking again in extra time to complete a 2-1 win for England. The result sends Tuchel’s side into a semi-final against Argentina, who reached this stage after edging past Switzerland.
Rice has been a key performer for England, starting five of their six matches at the 2026 World Cup. The only game he missed was the group match against Panama, due to a minor calf issue. His form for club and country has kept him at the heart of England’s football this summer. Tournament data shows Rice has created just over three chances a game, one of the best figures for England. That number underlines how much Tuchel relies on his passing range and forward drive from deep.
What comes next for Rice and England
Declan Rice now enters a big week for England while he deals with some ongoing fitness worries. His role in England’s midfield is hard to replace, since he holds the team together in both attack and defence. Losing him for even part of a match can upset the balance that Tuchel wants to keep on the pitch.
Rice’s fitness will matter just as much given how tough this match against Argentina is set to be. Rice already won the Premier League with Arsenal last season, and now wants an even bigger prize with England. Tuchel’s care with Rice this week looks like the right call for his team. A fully fit Rice gives England a much better chance of getting past Argentina in Atlanta.
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Deepanjali Bhardwaj
Deepanjali Bhardwaj is the Sports Editor at Six Sports, where she leads editorial coverage across cricket, football, and other major sporting events. She oversees newsroom operations, editorial planning, story development, and publishing standards while ensuring every article meets Six Sports' commitment to accuracy, transparency, and responsible journalism. She works closely with writers, editors, and contributors to deliver timely news, match reports, analysis, features, and explainers covering domestic and international competitions. Her editorial approach focuses on factual reporting, clear analysis, and reader-first journalism, helping audiences stay informed about the latest developments across the sporting world. As Sports Editor, Deepanjali plays a key role in maintaining the publication's editorial quality, consistency, and independence while guiding coverage of major leagues, tournaments, teams, and athletes.
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