Thomas Tuchel has named Declan Rice as England's vice-captain for the World Cup, thrusting the Arsenal midfielder into a formal leadership role alongside Harry Kane. The England manager confirmed the decision after Saturday's friendly win over New Zealand, saying: "I think I would say Declan is my vice-captain."
Yet when asked whether Rice has been told, Tuchel smiled and admitted: "That is a good question. I was just thinking about it. Whether it is an official thing or not." He added that the pair had spoken when Kane was absent for last October's friendly against Wales, a match in which Rice captained the side with Ollie Watkins leading the attack.
“Declan Rice named England vice-captain for World Cup; Tuchel confirms leadership role with Kane.”
The 27-year-old, who has earned 72 caps, joins a leadership group headed by Kane and is now viewed by Tuchel as a future captain. Kane turns 33 next month, and Rice's promotion signals a clear succession plan. The midfielder's stock has risen sharply after helping Arsenal win the Premier League for the first time since 2003-04 and reach the Champions League final, which they lost on penalties to Paris St-Germain last weekend.
Rice and his Arsenal teammates Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze linked up with the England squad in Florida on Saturday and began training on Sunday. Tuchel's side have one more friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday, followed by a behind-closed-doors game against Miami FC before travelling to their Kansas City base on Saturday. The manager said minutes will be managed carefully: "It will be different against Costa Rica. We will get bigger chunks of minutes because it is part of the build-up." He remains uncertain how much the Arsenal quartet will play, noting: "I am not sure about the Arsenal players. Let's see how they come back."
England begin their World Cup campaign on 17 June against Croatia, with further group matches against Ghana and Panama in Group L.
Tuchel has already made clear where Rice stands in his plans. Speaking after the New Zealand friendly, the manager described Rice as part of a "special group" of untouchables alongside Kane, both nailed-on starters. The vice-captaincy formalises what many had suspected: Rice is not just a key player but next in line to lead the Three Lions.