Norway v England: Quarter Final - FIFA World Cup 2026
Tuchel could have a big decision to make in midfield (Picture: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Gary Neville believes Reece James will start in midfield for England against Argentina if Declan Rice is not deemed fit enough for the World Cup semi-final.
The Three Lions take on the defending world champions on Wednesday night with Spain waiting in Sunday’s final after their victory over France.
Rice has been dealing with a hamstring and lower back issue since the turn of the year that he has carried into the World Cup, missing the game against Ghana in the group stages.
The same issue left the Arsenal star playing through ‘terrible pain’ in the last 32 clash with DR Congo before playing the full 90 minutes against Mexico.
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Rice was replaced at half-time in the quarter-finals against Norway with it later emerging the 27-year-old had spent three days in bed with a virus.
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The former West Ham United star trained with the England squad on Tuesday with growing optimism he will be available for Argentina.
With Kobbie Mainoo yet to see any action at this World Cup, Thomas Tuchel turned to James to restore some balance in midfield against Norway.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Quarter Final - Norway v England - Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - July 11, 2026 England's Declan Rice at half time before being substituted REUTERS/Dylan Martinez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Rice has been dealing with injury and illness (Picture: REUTERS)
The Chelsea captain, who has recovered from a hamstring injury of his own that ruled him out of three games, took up that role in the middle of the park for his club on occasion last season with Roy Keane and Neville believing Tuchel will turn to him again if there are any doubts over Rice’s fitness.
Quizzed on Rice’s recent issues, Keane told ITVI: ‘It’s the semi-final of a World Cup. He did have a virus but surely Rice will turn up and put an effort in, I’d be very surprised if he said he can’t make it.
Norway v England: Quarter Final - FIFA World Cup 2026
James stepped into midfield against Norway (Picture: GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
‘This is where you need your best players available. But what they have done, the squad has come together so whoever does come in will do a good job.
‘We saw Reece James come in and he was brilliant in midfield, he was brilliant at right-back so there are certainly options.’
Neville went one step further, naming James as the man who should come in should Rice not be included in the starting XI.
‘It would be Reece James, I think he will go with Reece James in there if Declan Rice wasn’t available.’
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