England manager Thomas Tuchel has disclosed that midfielder Declan Rice spent nearly three days bedridden with an illness leading up to the team’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway. Despite his condition, Rice started the match at Miami Stadium, though he appeared visibly affected by the intense heat before being replaced by Eberechi Eze at half-time.
Norway took an early lead through Andreas Schjelderup, but Jude Bellingham leveled the score before the interval and ultimately secured England’s 2-1 victory with an extra-time goal. The triumph advances England to a semi-final clash against Argentina, scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, at 20:00.
Tuchel explained that the decision to substitute Rice was proactive rather than just tactical. Rice was already managing a neural issue in his back and hamstring, and the illness further hampered his endurance. Concerned about the prospect of a 120-minute match, the manager opted to withdraw the Arsenal star early to manage his substitutions effectively. Ezri Konsa also faced physical difficulties during the game, suffering from cramps and hamstring issues.
Rice has been a staple of the squad during the 2026 tournament, starting five out of England’s six games. The upcoming match against Argentina marks a high-profile return to the historic rivalry between the two nations.
