Declan Rice refuses to back down as Arsenal star issues bold ‘win it’ statement

Declan Rice is adamant that England should not hide from the fact that they are desperate to all the way in the 2026 World Cup after sealing qualification this week

Declan Rice insists England should not be afraid to say they can win the World Cup. The England midfielder believes they have enough quality on the pitch and a proven manager in Thomas Tuchel to help them get over the line in the United States next summer.

Rice has been part of a squad which has got to two major finals in the Euros and he believes they have the hunger and experience to go one step further to win the biggest prize of all. England became the first European team to qualify for the World Cup and they are already among the favourites to lift the trophy and Rice says they should be intimidated by expectation levels.

Arsenal star Rice said: “We want to win it. Obviously it’s going to be a bold statement. But we’re England. We have world class players all over the pitch.

“If we didn’t think like that, I think that would be weak mentality from us. I think we all want to win the World Cup, we’d all love that, to get our hands on that in our career.

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“I think at the last World Cup we played really, really well, we obviously lost to France, and we’ve obviously lost two finals, which isn’t ideal. But we’ve proven we can get to the big occasions, the big moments, it’s just about getting over the line.

“I think we have a manager who’s won at the highest level. We’ve got players who are winning at club level now. We all need to keep adding our experience, keep chipping in, and when it comes to the big stage, we’ve got to perform, we’ve got to be ready.

“You see the best players in the world, they’ve won that in the past, and what it meant to them. But there’s a long way to go, and theres so many different stages to get through before we get to that point. It’s just about keeping building up until that moment.”

Rice also claims that England’s wealth of talent – with the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham playing at the highest level for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively – has given them strength in depth and fierce competition.

But Rice also says that England boss Tuchel’s CV and track record of coaching the best players can push them to glory after so many near misses. He said: “Definitely. I think the manager’s made that clear. Everyone’s playing really well for clubs, and when you come here, you have to train and you have to be on it.

“Tuchel is an unbelievable manager, he’s managed the best players in the world. He’s made it clear, competition is key. That’s what you want as a player, you don’t want to feel comfortable in your role.

“Even at club level, you always want to feel that you’ve got to train well every day, you need to play well to keep your sport. I think that will be key to us going in the tournament, everyone being ready and hungry to put on the shirt.”

Rice, 26, reached 70 caps in England’s win in Latvia which clinched World Cup qualification for next summer. He believes he is in the best form – and fitness – of his career but, incredibly, he says it took him a long time to really feel like a big player for England.

Rice said: “I feel probably the fittest I’ve ever been at start of the season stage. I just feel really strong. When you’re confident in football, that’s one of the main things.

“I’ve had that for the last few years, I’ve felt really confident in my game, I’m really happy on the pitch, off the pitch, and that really helps me when I step on the pitch.

“I think it took me a few years in this England team to get to that stage. Tonight was cap 70 for me. So it’s going so quick. I’m still only 26 you know, I just need to keep going, keep playing well.

“Like you said, I’m in the leadership group, the lads ask me for opinions, I’m really close with the younger guys here, and obviously I get on really well with the older guys. It’s good to bridge the gap between the two. Try to do everything I can to help the team.”

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