England head coach Thomas Tuchel insists Declan Rice will be fit to face Mexico in FIFA World Cup last-16 tie despite encountering 'terrible pain'

React to this story

Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Declan Rice is ready to continue playing through the pain barrier for England, with the Arsenal midfielder expected to be fit for the FIFA World Cup last-16 clash with co-hosts Mexico despite nursing an ongoing nerve pain in his back.

'It's just impossible' - Tuchel on challenges facing England against Mexico

Video credit: SNTV

Rice was substituted towards the end of the 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the last 32 on Wednesday, and England's coaching staff have had to handle the 27-year-old carefully in training sessions throughout the World Cup.

The West Ham United academy product has been managing a series of fitness issues throughout the tournament, missing England's final group-stage match against Panama after suffering a calf injury, while also battling back and hamstring problems that have required him to wear compression sleeves on his legs.

Tuchel is only too aware of Rice's importance to the team - his versatility was on display in England's hour of need as an embarrassing early elimination beckoned.

World Cup

UEFA confirms intention to boycott World Cup amid Infantino spin-off plan

30/07/2026 at 20:48

The Three Lions were trailing 1-0 to Congo in Atlanta following Brian Cipenga’s stunning seventh-minute opener, when Tuchel moved Rice to right-back to cater for an additional forward option in Eberechi Eze.

It proved an inspired move, leading to question marks moving forward over how to best utilise the player who joined Arsenal for a club-record fee of £100 million in 2023. Reece James and Jarell Quansah are sidelined, while Djed Spence struggled.

For now, however, just having Rice available as England head to the awe-inspiring Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Sunday is at the forefront of Tuchel's mind.

Harry Kane celebrates scoring his side's first goal against DR Congo

Image credit: Getty Images

”I asked him very late, and he said ‘I can do it for the team, but I am in terrible pain,'" Tuchel said.

”When Declan tells you that he is in terrible pain, then you know he cannot take it any more, so he was grateful that we took him off.

”He just said after the game it’s not an issue, he will recover, so there is no injury. He was just in pain, so I hope he is right. It’s more nerval pain.”

Asked if he can absorb the pain from game to game, Tuchel said: ”He can, yeah.”

Rice featured in the unconventional right-back slot in the closing stages, but insists he sees it as only a temporary measure given the likelihood that the calibre of wingers England will face should they progress deep into the tournament will only get stronger.

”It was probably the hardest 12 minutes of the game having a stint at right-back,” Rice admitted after the DR Congo encounter.

”In games like that it was probably too much of a basketball match at times, back and forth, and we had to take the sting out of it because they have fast wingers. I think we made more hard work of it than we needed to.

”I have played there two or three times this season, I know the role, it is probably not my biggest strength, but [I would] do anything for the team and the manager.

”[With] 12 minutes left I said I would do my best and I think I did well there. Let’s see what happens next game, but hopefully I don’t have to be at right-back.”

England's defensive injury problems have also begun to ease, with both James and Quansah closing in on a return ahead of a potential quarter-final next week.

The squad lost Tino Livramento to a calf injury before the tournament, while James started England's opening two matches before a hamstring problem ruled him out of the games against Panama and DR Congo.

Quansah deputised at right-back against Panama but was forced off after twisting an ankle, an injury that also kept him out of the last-32 victory.

Tuchel said both players were making good progress, although Quansah remained slightly ahead in his recovery.

"They are getting close. They are getting closer and closer. I saw them on the pitch," Tuchel added.

"In the nature of their injury, Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reecey. But the race was close even to make it into the match squad this time, so we need to make sure that we have more matches.

"That is the main focus, and then they will be available very soon."

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

Watch and stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

World Cup