Declan Rice spent three days in bed before England’s quarter-final win over Norway, was substituted at half-time, and has still not fully recovered from a sickness bug picked up in Mexico. Yet, with a World Cup final in sight for the first time since 1966, the Arsenal midfielder is almost certain to rule himself fit for Wednesday’s semi-final against Argentina.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel said after Saturday’s 2-1 extra-time victory in Miami that Rice had been ill in the lead-up to the match. The 78-cap midfielder has also been carrying a neural problem affecting his lower back and hamstring for several months. England medics will make a late call on his availability given the severity of the illness, though his condition has improved markedly over the past 48 hours.
“England face Argentina in World Cup semi-final with Declan Rice a fitness doubt and American referee Ismail Elfath appointed.”
Meanwhile, FIFA has confirmed that American referee Ismail Elfath will take charge of the semi-final at the Atlanta Stadium. The 44-year-old has overseen three matches this tournament, including Brazil’s round-of-16 win over Norway, in which he awarded two penalties and sent off Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio. Elfath has never refereed an England game but did officiate a goalless draw between Argentina and Colombia in 2018. His assistants are Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins, with Italian pair Maurizio Mariani and Daniele Bindoni completing the team.
The BBC will present its coverage live from Atlanta, having based its World Cup operation in Salford for the bulk of the tournament. Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards have joined Alan Shearer in the United States for the semi-final. ITV attracted a peak audience of 18 million for England’s quarter-final win over Norway, a figure the BBC expects to beat with an 8pm UK kick-off on Wednesday. The corporation has exclusive live rights and a prime-time slot, while ITV will continue its hybrid approach from a rooftop studio in Brooklyn.
Iranian referee Alireza Faghani is in line to take charge of Sunday’s final, with FIFA aiming to maintain neutrality by selecting officials from a different confederation to the finalists. England could only face a fellow UEFA nation in the final, given the remaining tie between France and Spain.