Thomas Tuchel has officially named Declan Rice as England’s vice-captain for the upcoming World Cup, confirming this decision as the midfielder and his Arsenal teammates, including Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze, joined the team’s preparation camp in Florida. The group arrived at their West Palm Beach location on Saturday, shortly after the rest of the squad secured a narrow 1-0 victory over New Zealand in Tampa.
At 27 years old, Rice is a pivotal figure in the England lineup, recognized for his contributions in Arsenal’s recent Premier League triumph and their close defeat in the Champions League final the previous weekend. His established reputation was solidified during Harry Kane’s absence in October when Rice showcased his leadership abilities as captain in a friendly match against Wales. Tuchel remarked on Rice’s role, stating, “I think I would say Declan is my vice-captain,” and noted that discussions about this role occurred when Kane was not present.
Following their arrival, Rice and the Arsenal players quickly integrated into team training, focusing on the upcoming warm-up match against Costa Rica in Orlando. Tuchel indicated a shift in strategy for this friendly, differentiating from previous matches and emphasizing that it would involve more extended playing time for some players. He pointed out that the squad would need to manage player minutes effectively, particularly as the team gears up for their World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17, followed by matches against Ghana and Panama in Group L.
To further prepare, England has scheduled a closed-door session against Miami FC after the Costa Rica match, integrating a local USL Championship team for additional training support. Miami FC, founded 11 years ago, previously enjoyed a managerial stint under Italian football legend Alessandro Nesta, contributing a unique training opportunity for the English side as they finalize their preparations for the tournament.
