England manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Declan Rice will serve as the national team’s vice-captain for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, further highlighting the midfielder’s growing leadership role within the Three Lions squad.
The announcement came as Rice and his Arsenal teammates Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze joined England’s training camp in Florida ahead of the tournament.
The quartet arrived at the team’s base in West Palm Beach shortly after England secured a narrow 1-0 victory over New Zealand in Tampa, with preparations now shifting towards their final World Cup warm-up match against Costa Rica.
Rice has steadily emerged as one of the most influential figures in the England setup and previously captained the side during a friendly against Wales when regular skipper Harry Kane was unavailable.
Although Jude Bellingham wore the captain’s armband during the second half of the New Zealand match, Tuchel revealed that Rice currently sits second in the leadership hierarchy behind Kane.
“I think I would say Declan is my vice-captain,” Tuchel told reporters after the victory.
The England boss then joked about whether Rice was even aware of the appointment.
“That is a good question. I was just thinking about it. Whether it is an official thing or not.”
Tuchel went on to explain that the decision was effectively communicated earlier in the year when Rice led the team in Kane’s absence.
“When Harry was not in camp with us, I think Declan was captain. That was where I told him.”
The endorsement underlines the trust Tuchel places in the Arsenal midfielder, whose leadership qualities have become increasingly evident both at club and international level.
With 72 England caps already to his name, Rice combines experience, consistency and authority in the dressing room, making him a natural deputy to Kane as England pursue World Cup glory.
As the Arsenal contingent settles into camp and preparations intensify in the United States, Tuchel’s leadership structure is becoming clearer. Kane remains England’s captain, but if the striker is unavailable at any stage during the tournament, Rice is now firmly established as the man expected to lead the Three Lions onto the pitch.
