Declan Rice Ready for England's World Cup Semifinal Against Argentina

Declan Rice Cleared to Play in Semifinal

Declan Rice is set to start for England in their World Cup semifinal match against Argentina on Wednesday, according to reports from Sky Sports. The midfielder had been dealing with a stomach ailment following England's round-of-16 match in Mexico City ten days prior.

Manager's Insights on Rice's Condition

England's head coach, Thomas Tuchel, disclosed that Rice was bedridden for three days leading up to the quarterfinal against Norway due to his illness. The Three Lions are looking to secure a spot in their second World Cup final, aiming for their first title since 1966 when they won on home soil.

Limited Playtime in Quarterfinal

Due to his health issues, the FA medical team restricted Rice to just 45 minutes of play during the quarterfinal in Miami, where the extreme heat felt like 44°C. After England's extra-time win over Norway, Rice appeared visibly fatigued as he passed by reporters.

Tuchel Discusses Tough Choices

In the post-match press conference, Tuchel mentioned that Rice was keen to keep playing. "We were aware that Declan was not at his best. He wanted to continue until the next water break, but I was concerned about our substitutions if we went to 120 minutes without Elliot [Anderson] on the field," Tuchel explained. He emphasized that the decision to substitute Rice was crucial, allowing Anderson to play the full match.

Rice's Full Recovery

Rice has now made a complete recovery and participated in a full training session in Kansas City on Monday. This was England's first complete training since their victory over Norway, which was conducted behind closed doors.