England manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Declan Rice is fully fit and available to start Wednesday’s 2026 World Cup semi-final against Argentina, ending concerns over the midfielder’s fitness ahead of one of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups.
Tuchel made the announcement at his pre-match press conference in Atlanta on Tuesday. Rice had been forced off at half-time during England’s quarter-final win over Norway due to illness, raising doubts about his readiness for the semi-final stage.
“Rice is ready to start and as well recovered as possible,” Tuchel told reporters.
Declan Rice Leads England’s Near-Full Squad Into Atlanta Showdown
Apart from Rice, Tuchel confirmed the rest of the squad trained fully ahead of the Argentina clash. The only absentees are Jarell Quansah, who is suspended, and Jordan Henderson.
Henderson sustained a broken arm in a freak accident after England’s last-16 victory over co-hosts Mexico and will miss the remainder of the tournament. Tuchel did not elaborate on Henderson’s recovery timeline or whether he would be available for a potential final.
With Rice back and the squad otherwise intact, England go into Wednesday’s match as a side with significant momentum. They beat Norway in the quarter-finals to secure their place in the last four.
Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, advanced from the other side of the bracket and are chasing back-to-back titles. The two nations have not met at this stage of the competition in decades, and the weight of that history was not lost on Tuchel at his press conference.
“It is a big rivalry, two big football nations; everyone who loves football and follows the World Cup knows about this and about what it brings,” he said.
“We expect an intense and emotional match, with a lot of momentum swings.”
England vs Argentina Rivalry: Tuchel Refuses to Use History as Motivation
The England and Argentina World Cup rivalry is one of the most charged in international football. Argentina beat England 2-1 in the 1986 quarter-finals, a game remembered for Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal and a separate solo effort that remains among the most discussed in the tournament’s history. In 1998, Argentina eliminated England on penalties in the round of 16 after David Beckham received a red card.
Despite that backdrop, Tuchel was direct about his team’s approach. He said past encounters would play no part in England’s preparation or mindset going into the semi-final.
“We don’t use it as a fuel,” he stated. “We know why we are here, we know what we want, we were never shy of expecting that from ourselves, and of saying it or of dreaming it.”
Tuhere;added that England ar. Wed in Atlanta hungry for another win and respecte orentina without overstating the historical dimension of the fixture.
“We are in the semi-finals, and we arrive very hungry. We want to have the next win. We respect our opponent but we don’t dip into historic events and we don’t make it bigger than it is.”
The German coach has steered England to the final four of the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A win on Wednesday would put Englandopponent,r first World Cup final since 1966.
Argentina arrives as the side to beat. They are defending champions, and their squad carries the experience and structure of a team that has won at the highest level before. Details of their pre-match press conference and confirmed lineup were not immediately available at the time of filing.
The match kicks off Wednesday in Atlanta. Spain have already booked the other final spot after beating France 2-0 in their semi-final, setting up the scenario where England or Argentina will face the Spanish side if they advance.
For England, the fitness of Declan Rice is the central story heading into the game. His presence in midfield is considered central to how Tuchel sets up his side, and Tuesday’s confirmation that he will start removes the biggest uncertainty hanging over the squad.
