A 27-year-old Arsenal midfielder who just lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time in two decades will wear the vice-captain’s armband as England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on 17 June. Declan Rice, with 72 caps and a recent Champions League final appearance, has been named vice-captain by England manager Thomas Tuchel. The decision comes as bookmakers reveal that only a fifth of England fans are betting on their own team to win the tournament – far less than the patriotic support seen in Portugal, France or Germany.
England’s World Cup squad is among the favourites, but domestic confidence is low. According to betting analysis from Entain (owner of Ladbrokes and Coral), just 20 per cent of bets placed by English punters back the Three Lions to lift the trophy. That puts England behind Portugal (57 per cent), France (29 per cent), Austria (25 per cent) and Germany (24 per cent). In Scotland, only 9 per cent of bets support their own team, though 8 per cent of Scottish bets are on England. Globally, Spain is the most-backed team across Entain’s markets.
“Explains Declan Rice's vice-captaincy, betting odds, and England's World Cup hopes.”
This lack of faith has deep roots. England have not won a men’s World Cup since 1966, when Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick sealed a 4-2 victory over West Germany. One fan who attended that final, now 90, recalls leaving Wembley “convinced England would win again” – only to endure six decades of hurt. The 1966 triumph came under Alf Ramsey, an English manager; today the side is led by a German, Thomas Tuchel. The Premier League, once home to homegrown talent, now contains just 31 per cent English players, limiting the national pool. Spain’s World Cup squad includes seven players based in the Premier League.
For UK readers, this World Cup is a mix of hope and caution. Rice’s appointment as vice-captain signals a new era under Tuchel. The midfielder previously captained England during Harry Kane’s absence in an October friendly against Wales. Tuchel confirmed the role after Saturday’s win over New Zealand, though he admitted it might not be an “official thing”. Rice is joined in the US training camp by Arsenal teammates Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze. The squad will play a friendly against Costa Rica on Wednesday and a behind-closed-doors match with Miami FC before heading to Kansas City.
Q: Why has Declan Rice been made vice-captain? Rice is one of England’s most experienced players with 72 caps and has just helped Arsenal win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final. Manager Thomas Tuchel said Rice was his vice-captain after he led the team in Harry Kane’s absence during a friendly against Wales.
Q: How many England fans think they will win the World Cup? Only 20 per cent of bets placed by English punters back England to win, according to data from Entain. That is lower than Portugal (57 per cent), France (29 per cent) and Germany (24 per cent). Spain leads global backing but only 16 per cent of Spanish bets are on their own team.
Q: Who are England’s group opponents and when do they start? England begin their campaign on 17 June against Croatia, then face Ghana and Panama in Group L. They have warm-up friendlies against Costa Rica and a closed-door game with Miami FC before moving to Kansas City.
What happens next: England play Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday 10 June, then a behind-closed-doors friendly against Miami FC. They travel to Kansas City on Saturday 13 June before their World Cup opener against Croatia on 17 June. Thomas Tuchel will finalise his starting XI and tactical approach during these preparations.