Declan Rice fit but England take late call for FIFA WC semi-final vs Argentina
Synopsis
Declan Rice spent three days in bed before England's quarter-final and was hauled off at half-time — yet he could still start against world champions Argentina on Thursday. Tuchel's late-call gamble on his vice-captain, juggling illness, hamstring strain, and back pain, is the defining selection dilemma of England's deepest World Cup run in decades.
Key Takeaways
Declan Rice has recovered from a sickness bug but England will make a late call on his availability for Thursday's FIFA World Cup semi-final .
Rice spent three days in bed before the quarter-final and was substituted at half-time against Norway in Miami .
The 27-year-old vice-captain is also managing hamstring and back pain but reportedly feels confident he can start.
England face defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on Thursday — their first meeting in over 20 years .
Rice has started all but one of England's World Cup games, missing only the 2-0 win over Panama due to an earlier injury.
England travel from their Swope Soccer Village base in Kansas City to Atlanta after their final pre-match training session.
Declan Rice has recovered from a sickness bug that threatened his participation, but England manager Thomas Tuchel will make a late decision on whether the midfield vice-captain starts Thursday's FIFA World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta.
Rice's Recovery and Fitness Concerns
The 27-year-old, who has earned 78 caps for the Three Lions, was struck by a sickness bug in the build-up to Saturday's quarter-final victory over Norway in Miami, spending three days in bed before the match. He was substituted at half-time after a below-par opening 45 minutes. According to reports, Rice trained with his teammates on Monday and is feeling considerably better.
Beyond the illness, Rice has also been managing hamstring and back pain, though he is reportedly confident he can start against the world champions. Tuchel, however, is expected to assess him further before confirming the team sheet.
England's Pre-Match Preparations
England will hold their final training session before the semi-final at their Swope Soccer Village base in Kansas City. The squad will then travel by air to Atlanta, with the flight to Georgia expected to take approximately two hours. Three players will accompany Tuchel to Atlanta Stadium for the official pre-match media preview.
England's Road to the Last Four
The path to the semi-finals has been demanding for Tuchel's side. England were pushed hard by Congo DR in the Round of 32, edged past Mexico in the last 16, and ground out a quarter-final win over Norway. Rice himself missed the 2-0 group-stage victory over Panama due to an injury flare-up — the only England game he has not started at this tournament.
Argentina's Route and the Historic Rivalry
Defending champions Argentina, managed by Lionel Scaloni, have navigated their own turbulent route, surviving extra time and sustained pressure in thrillers against Cabo Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland. Thursday's fixture will mark the first meeting between England and Argentina in more than 20 years, reviving one of football's most storied international rivalries.
With Rice's availability still uncertain, Tuchel faces a pivotal selection call that could shape England's prospects of reaching their first World Cup final in decades.
Point of View
Yet benching him removes England's most influential ball-carrier. The broader story here is structural — England have leaned heavily on Rice throughout this campaign, and the lack of a like-for-like replacement in the squad is a squad-building question that will outlast this tournament regardless of Thursday's result.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Declan Rice fit for England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina?
Declan Rice has recovered from a sickness bug and trained with England teammates on Monday, but manager Thomas Tuchel has not yet confirmed whether he will start Thursday's semi-final in Atlanta. Rice is also managing hamstring and back pain alongside his recent illness.
When and where is the England vs Argentina World Cup semi-final?
The FIFA World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina is scheduled for Thursday at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. It will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides in more than 20 years.
How did Declan Rice's illness affect England's quarter-final?
Rice spent three days in bed before the quarter-final against Norway in Miami and was substituted at half-time after a below-par first-half performance. England still won the match to advance to the semi-finals.
What is England's route to the World Cup semi-finals?
England defeated Congo DR in the Round of 32, Mexico in the last 16, and Norway in the quarter-finals to reach the semi-finals. The journey has been challenging, with Tuchel's side required to dig deep in each knockout fixture.
How has Argentina reached the World Cup semi-finals?
Defending champions Argentina, managed by Lionel Scaloni, beat Cabo Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland on their route to the last four, surviving extra time and sustained pressure in each of those knockout encounters.
