Overview
- Thomas Tuchel confirmed Declan Rice as England’s vice‑captain after the warm‑up win over New Zealand, and said Rice will wear the armband when Harry Kane is unavailable.
- Rice, who has 72 caps, has been placed in Tuchel’s small leadership group and is positioned by the manager as the clear candidate to succeed Kane in future.
- Arsenal teammates Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze linked up with the squad on Saturday and began training in Florida after extra recovery time following the Champions League final.
- Tuchel said he will carefully manage the Arsenal players’ minutes across the remaining warm‑ups — the Costa Rica friendly in Orlando and a behind‑closed‑doors match with Miami FC — to balance fitness and preparation.
- The appointment reflects Rice’s form for Arsenal this season and could intensify calls for him to take on greater leadership at club level, while Tuchel’s handling of Saka’s Achilles issue will test England’s medical and rotation plans.