Rice: It's an honour to play with Kane

Declan Rice came into the England camp with “bundles of confidence”, the midfielder admitted, having played a major role in ending Arsenal’s 22-year wait for a Premier League trophy.

The 27-year-old, who was made England vice-captain ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, will be hoping to earn his 75th England cap when the Three Lions play Ghana on Tuesday.

England boss Thomas Tuchel lauded Rice as “one of the very best” in his position when he spoke to the media ahead of England’s second group match.

“I’m proud to be his coach,” Tuchel told reporters.

“He is one of the very best midfielders in the world. He’s humble, ready to be a team player, ready to give quality and energy to the group. He learns every day in his career.”

After a long season where he has played 63 times for Arsenal and England, Rice was substituted in the 72nd minute against Croatia after providing the assist for Harry Kane’s second goal.

Tuchel admitted that he was initially concerned over Rice’s fitness but revealed that he is back in full training with the group.

There was also a question mark over Rice’s Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka’s fitness heading into the tournament. After starting on the bench against Croatia, the winger came on in the late stages to set up Marcus Rashford for England’s fourth goal.

"It's another big thing on the right wing between Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka and the beautiful thing is they do it for Arsenal as well,” Tuchel said on his selection for the right forward spot.

“Bukayo is getting better and better, feels no more pain and he is ready to go - without telling you if he starts or comes from the bench.”

England can qualify for the knockout stages with a win over their African opponents, and Tuchel gave a fitness update on the rest of the squad.

“Everyone is available, everyone is in training. We had a big influence from the substitutes (against Croatia), which we really, really appreciated and it just proves how everyone buys into the idea.

“Even players who are regular starters and big players for their clubs. They came in and no matter like Marc (Guéhi) in defence, Marcus (Rashford) in offence or Bukayo Saka as a winger; everyone bought in and gave everything to decide the match, which they actually did.

“They had a huge influence and we need exactly that.”

Rice, meanwhile, admits it's been an "honour" to play alongside Harry Kane for England after the striker made more history at the World Cup.

The Three Lions captain was on the scoresheet twice in the opening 4-2 win against Croatia, equalling Gary Lineker's record of 10 World Cup goals in the process.

Kane's brace helped Tuchel's side get their campaign off to a perfect start and increased his international tally to an incredible 81 goals in 115 appearances.

Rice, who has played with Kane since making his debut in 2019, has spoken glowingly about the Bayern Munich striker and how he helps lead the squad in his role as skipper.

Speaking alongside Tuchel at a press conference at Boston Stadium ahead of Tuesday's game with Ghana, Rice said: "For me he's one of those players you'll be telling the kids when you're older that you got to play with Harry Kane. That's how good he is.

"He's one of those players. I'm very fortunate (to play with him). One, he's our captain but two, how he leads by example every day, how he pushes in training.

"It's not a surprise to me how good he is, just because of the goals he scores in training, what he's been doing at Bayern Munich, what he's been doing in an England shirt.

"It’s been an honour to play with him and for sure I'm very lucky that I get to play with a striker like him."

The Arsenal midfielder also admitted that the squad have taken extra confidence from their impressive second-half display against Croatia as they prepare to face Ghana on the east coast of the United States.

After being pegged back twice in the opening period in Dallas, goals from Jude Bellingham and Rashford after the break helped secure three points and pole position in Group L.

And Rice believes the squad now have a "benchmark" to aim for as they look to seal their progress to the first knockout stage with a positive result at Boston Stadium.

"We are just as motivated, if not more motivated to win," Rice added.

"Harry spoke about it earlier that we haven't always had a great result in the second game so we have to get that right.

"If you look back on the second half (against Croatia), it was probably the best half of football we’ve played under Thomas.

"That performance was the benchmark now and if we keep playing like that then we will be a match for anyone and we should have confidence in our ability and believe we can beat anyone in this tournament."

On a personal level, Rice entered the World Cup on the back of a superb season at club level, having helped Arsenal win the Premier League for the first time in 22 years and reach the final of the UEFA Champions League.

"I think I come into this tournament with bundles of confidence," Rice said.

"I feel like I've come into England with a spring in my step. I think as we keep playing good opposition, you're going to keep seeing the best of me.

"This season has probably been more mentally draining than physically. But I'm in a mentally very good space and physically I feel very good as well."