Manager Declan Rice was adamant England should not hide the fact they are fully aiming to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after qualifying 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 can help them get over the line in America next summer.
Rice was part of a team that reached two major finals at the Euros and believes they have the greed and experience to go the extra mile to win the biggest prize. England are the first European team to qualify for the World Cup and are already among the favorites to win the trophy, and Rice says they should be frightened by expectations.
Arsenal star Rice said: “We want to win. It’s obviously going to be a bold statement, but we’re England. We’ve got world-class players on the pitch. We’re England. We’ve got world-class players on the pitch.”
“If we don’t think like that, I think it’s our mentality that’s weak. I think we all want to win the World Cup and we all hope to get it in our careers.”
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“I think we played really, really well in the last World Cup. Obviously we lost to France and obviously we lost twice in the final, which is not ideal. But we have shown that we can get to the big moments, the big moments. We just have to get over the line.”
“I think we have a manager who is winning at the highest level. We have players who are winning at club level right now. We all need to continue to gain experience and continue to work hard. And when it comes to the big stage, we have to perform and prepare.”
“Look at the best players in the world. They’ve won it in the past, but what does that mean to them? But the road is long and there’s a lot of different stages that you have to go through to get to that point. You just keep building up to that moment.”
Rice also argues that England’s wealth of talent gives them depth and fierce competition, with the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham playing at the highest level for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively.
But Rice also said England manager Tuchel’s background and track record of coaching the best players will help propel him to glory after a number of near-misses. “That’s right. I think the manager has made it clear. Everyone is playing really well at the club and when they come here they have to train and they have to work on it,” he said.
“Tuchel is an incredible manager. He has managed the best players in the world. He has made it clear that competition is important. That is what you want as a player and you don’t want to be satisfied with your role. He is an incredible manager. He has managed the best players in the world.
“Even at club level, you always want to feel like you have to train well and play well every day to keep playing the sport. I think that’s the key to getting into the tournament. Everyone is ready and hungry to put on the shirt.”
Rice, 26, reached his 70th cap with England’s win over Latvia and qualified for next summer’s World Cup. He believes he is in the best shape and fitness of his career, but says that, incredibly, it took him a long time to really feel like a big player for England.
“At this early stage of the season, I think I’m probably the fittest I’ve ever been. I feel really strong. When you’re confident in your football, that’s one of the important things,” Rice said.
“I’ve felt that way for the last few years. I’m confident in my game and I’m really happy on and off the pitch. It really helps me when I’m on the pitch.”
“I think it took me a few years to get to that stage with this England team. Tonight was 70 caps for me. It’s really fast. You know, I’m only 26. I just have to keep going and keep playing well.”
“As you said, I’m part of the leadership group and the players look to me for input. I’m very close with the younger players here and obviously very good with the older players. It’s good to bridge the gap between the two. Try to do everything you can to help the team.”
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