Rice set for England start against DR Congo

Declan Rice of England looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Declan Rice won the Premier League title with Arsenal last season

BySami MokbelSenior football correspondent in New Jersey

Published46 minutes ago

Declan Rice is expected to be available to start England's World Cup last-32 tie with DR Congo on Wednesday.

The key midfielder was rested for the 2-0 win over Panama after taking a heavy blow to the calf in the goalless draw with Ghana last Tuesday.

Rice, 27, was unable to complete the full training schedule before the win over Panama, although he did return in time for the team's final session before travelling to New Jersey.

In Rice's absence, Thomas Tuchel started with a midfield of Elliot Anderson and Jude Bellingham.

But the England manager is optimistic that the Arsenal midfielder will be available to return to the starting XI for the knockout match against DR Congo in Atlanta.

England manager Tuchel's biggest injury concerns heading into the knockout rounds are Reece James and Jarell Quansah.

Chelsea full-back James missed the win over Panama after sustaining a hamstring injury against Ghana.

While Tuchel is not ruling out James for the DR Congo game, it is understood the right-back's return to action is likely to come later in the tournament.

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

This video can not be played

Figure caption,

Quansah off injured in 'big blow' for England

Tuchel worried about right-back situation
- Published14 hours ago
Knockouts are here - what is England's path to the final?
- Published9 hours ago
Job done - but England will not win World Cup unless they improve
- Published13 hours ago

Similarly, Quansah, who deputised for James at right-back against Panama, is also a major doubt to play the last-32 tie due to an ankle injury.

Quansah will be assessed by England medics over the next 48 hours, but Tuchel has already admitted it will be "very tight" for the Bayer Leverkusen player to prove his fitness in time for Wednesday.

It leaves Tuchel with a huge dilemma at right-back, given James' and Quansah's injury issues and the fact Tino Livramento left the squad with a calf issue before England's tournament had even started.

Djed Spence replaced Quansah against Panama and it appears likely he will line up against DR Congo should James and Quansah fail to prove their fitness, although Tuchel does have the option of playing centre-back Ezri Konsa at right-back.