Declan Rice has been named England’s vice-captain for the World Cup, with manager Thomas Tuchel confirming the Arsenal midfielder’s role after Saturday’s friendly win over New Zealand.
Rice, 27, has earned 72 caps for the Three Lions and is set to be one of the most experienced players in Tuchel’s starting line-up throughout the tournament.
The midfielder arrives at the training camp in fine form, having just helped Arsenal win the Premier League for the first time since the 2003-04 season.
Rice also featured in Arsenal’s Champions League final last weekend, which the north London club ultimately lost on penalties to Paris St-Germain.
His appointment as vice-captain comes after he filled in as skipper during Harry Kane’s absence for the October friendly against Wales, with Ollie Watkins replacing Kane in attack.
“I think I would say Declan is my vice-captain,” Tuchel confirmed following the New Zealand fixture, indicating the decision had already been made in his own mind.
When asked whether Rice himself was fully aware of the official nature of the role, Tuchel responded openly and honestly about how the conversation had unfolded.
“That is a good question. I was just thinking about it. Whether it is an official thing or not,” the England manager said.
Tuchel then added: “But I think we had this talk when Harry was not in camp with us. We started with Ollie and I think Declan was captain. That was where I told him.”
Rice and his Arsenal team-mates Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze have all now joined England’s training camp in the United States, linking up with the group in Florida on Sunday.
England have one further warm-up fixture against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday before a behind-closed-doors game against Miami FC is scheduled to take place.
Tuchel’s side will then travel to their Kansas City base on Saturday ahead of the tournament getting underway in earnest.
The Three Lions open their World Cup campaign on 17 June against Croatia, and they also face Ghana and Panama in Group L.
