Tuchel: Rice Fit for Argentina Semifinal

England manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed on Tuesday that midfielder Declan Rice has fully recovered from illness and is ready to start in Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal against Argentina.

Tuchel reported a nearly fully fit squad, with only the suspended Jarell Quansah and Jordan Henderson—who broke his arm against Mexico—unavailable for the historic clash in Atlanta.

The manager expressed immense excitement about the high-stakes match, acknowledging the intense global rivalry and the rich World Cup history shared by the two footballing giants.

He predicted an emotional, fast-paced encounter filled with dramatic momentum swings as both nations battle for a place in the final.

Rice (News Central TV) — Tuchel says that Rice is fit for the Argentina semi-final. Credit: Sky Sports

Despite the deep historical drama surrounding this fixture—including Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” in 1986 and David Beckham’s red card in 1998—Tuchel insisted his squad is not focusing on past grievances.

Instead, the manager emphasised that his hungry team respects their opponents but remains strictly focused on securing a victory to advance their own World Cup dreams.

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Abisoye Adeyiga

Abisoye Adedoyin Adeyiga holds a PhD in Languages and Media Studies and a Master’s in Education (English Language). Trained in digital marketing and investigative journalism, she is passionate about new media’s transformative power. She enjoys reading, traveling, and meaningful conversations.