England vs Argentina: Declan Rice fit for World Cup semi-final as Thomas Tuchel's squad issues begin to ease
England have nearly a fully-fit squad to face Argentina in World Cup semi-final on Wednesday; Only the suspended Jarell Quansah and midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has a broken wrist, are unavailable; Declan Rice and Nico O'Reilly have overcome their fitness concerns
Tuesday 14 July 2026 10:11, UK
Declan Rice is fit and available to start England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, Sky Sports News understands.
Thomas Tuchel's injury, illness and fatigue problems across the squad have eased considerably since the gruelling win over Norway three days ago.
Rice had a stomach problem in the aftermath of the last 16 game in Mexico City 10 days ago, which Tuchel said meant he was confined to his bed for three days in the lead-up to the quarter-final against Norway.
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As a result, the FA doctors decided he was only able to play 45 minutes in Miami, where the heat and humidity had the same effect as if temperatures were 44C.
The Arsenal midfielder looked drained and drawn as he walked past journalists after the extra-time victory over Norway, although Tuchel suggested in his post-match press conference that Rice wanted to continue beyond half-time.
Tuchel said: "We knew that Declan was struggling. He gave a green light to continue maybe until the next water break, but then I thought if we go 120 and I don't have Elliot [Anderson] on the field, we will get into trouble with substitutions later.
"So we took a hard decision and took Declan off then, which paid off because Elliot could play the full 120, otherwise we would have been in trouble."
But it's thought Rice has now fully recovered, and he was able to train fully on Monday in Kansas City - the first full session after the Norway win, which was behind closed doors.
There are now no remaining doubts that he will be able to start against the reigning world champions.
Elsewhere, while a number of England's players suffered cramp and extreme fatigue following Sunday's game, the FA medics and physios have carried out an exhaustive programme of rehabilitation in the two days since.
And it is thought Tuchel will have close to a full squad to select from - with the exception of the suspended Jarrel Quansah and Jordan Henderson, who has a broken wrist.
It is great news for England, who are just one win away from their first World Cup final in 60 years.
Tuchel has just one training session left in Kansas City later today, to get the tactics and team selection right to face Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Why has Mainoo become England's forgotten man?
Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett:
Kobbie Mainoo has cut a pretty forlorn-looking figure at this World Cup.
He is one of only three outfield players who has not featured at all in the tournament. Ivan Toney and Trevoh Chalobah are the others, and they probably better understand their lot.
Chalobah was a late replacement for the injured Tino Livramento and so always knew he was the back-up defender. For most matches, he has had John Stones in waiting on the bench ahead of him.
Toney was told by Tuchel that he is a 'finisher' - a player unlikely to start unless there is an injury to Harry Kane.
Kane has been fully fit and fired six goals in the tournament. And we have not yet gone to a penalty shoot-out, so no need for a last-minute Toney appearance.
But for Mainoo there is an air of disappointment and, it seems, some disillusionment. For every one of England's six matches, he has been the first to leave the dressing room after a game, and always the first onto the team bus.
On every occasion I have seen him, he has been walking on his own, not with a team-mate. Let us be clear, he has not been sulking. But he has looked a little lost.
Read Rob Dorsett's analysis of Kobbie Mainoo's frustrating World Cup campaign
O'Reilly also fit despite hamstring strain
Nico O'Reilly is expected to be available for selection for England against Argentina despite a hamstring problem he picked up against Norway.
O'Reilly gestured to the bench asking to be substituted in the second half. He was replaced by Djed Spence just before the start of extra-time. But Sky Sports News understands he hasn't suffered any major strain.
O'Reilly spoke to reporters on Monday ahead of the game, saying: "It's crazy, an unbelievable feeling. I can't wait for the game.
"Not a lot of people get to that position [of a semi-final] - I'm gonna relish it and take it all in. I've always dreamt of this.
"I did an interview three years ago, and I said I wanted to be in the World Cup squad, and the Manchester City team and I've achieved those two things."
A number of other players will continue to be monitored to see how they are recovering from the extreme heat and humidity in Miami.
Harry Kane, Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi and John Stones all played the full 120 minutes. Guehi had missed several training sessions in the build-up to the Norway match with a hamstring tweak, and Stones had only played a total of 35 minutes in the tournament before that point.
