Declan Rice's Injury Update After England's Win Over Croatia

Thomas Tuchel moved quickly to calm England nerves after the 4-2 win over Croatia, insisting Declan Rice should be ready to face Ghana despite being withdrawn with discomfort in the second half.

Rice, who had anchored England’s midfield in their free-flowing start to the 2026 World Cup, came off after signalling an issue in the lower back and upper hamstring area. The sight of the Arsenal midfielder heading straight off was the only cloud over an otherwise buoyant opening night.

Tuchel, though, made it clear this was about protection, not panic.

He revealed Rice had shown “unusual ball losses” before pointing directly to the problem area when asked how he felt. That was enough for the England manager to act, even if it meant losing his midfield general earlier than planned.

“I didn’t want to take any risk,” Tuchel said, explaining his decision to replace Rice. He admitted he “never wanted” to take him off, but felt it was the right moment to shield a player he described as having a “fantastic game”.

The reshuffle pushed Reece James into central midfield, a move Tuchel praised, highlighting how seamlessly the defender slotted into the role to see England over the line.

Rice, for his part, brushed off any suggestion of a serious setback. Speaking afterwards, he described himself as “all good, good as gold”, linking the issue to the neural pains he had been managing in the latter stages of Arsenal’s season.

He called the substitution a precaution and made his intention clear: he expects to be back in the XI when England meet Ghana.

England’s World Cup campaign has started with goals, drama and a statement win. Keeping Rice fit to patrol the middle against a powerful Ghana side now feels just as important as anything on the scoresheet.