England to make late call on Rice for World Cup semi-final
Retold by Oddsrama · 13 July 2026
England will hold off on confirming Declan Rice's availability for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina until the last moment. The Arsenal midfielder was struck by illness ahead of Saturday's quarter-final win over Norway and sat out the second half in Miami, but optimism is building that he'll be ready for the Atlanta clash.
Rice spent three days in bed before the Norway match, which England eventually won 2-1 after extra time. While he picked up the bug during the group-stage win over Mexico, his condition has improved markedly over the past 48 hours. England's medical team will monitor his recovery closely, though Tuchel is unlikely to rush him back if there's genuine concern about his fitness for such a crucial game.
On top of the sickness bug, Rice has been managing a neural issue affecting his lower back and hamstring for several months—a problem he's managed throughout the tournament. The midfielder has started all but one of England's World Cup matches, missing only the 2-0 group-stage victory over Panama due to an injury flare-up. Given the magnitude of a semi-final against Argentina, Rice will almost certainly declare himself fit if medically cleared. For punters tracking England's team news, the midfield partnership will be key to their rhythm in Atlanta; Rice's absence would force a tactical shift, potentially affecting how the Three Lions press and control possession against a dangerous Argentine side.
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