{"slug": "declan-rice-explains-strange-injury-hes-managing-at-the-world-cup", "title": "Declan Rice explains ‘strange’ injury he’s managing at the World Cup", "summary": "England midfielder Declan Rice is managing a 'strange' neural hamstring injury at the World Cup, but manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed he will start against DR Congo. Rice, who played 55 games for Arsenal last season, says the pain can strike at any time but he feels fit and strong.", "body_md": "[Declan Rice](https://metro.co.uk/tag/declan-rice/) is set to return to the [England](https://metro.co.uk/tag/england-football-team/) starting XI against DR Congo on Wednesday as he continues to manage a ‘strange’ fitness issue.\n\nThe [Arsenal](https://metro.co.uk/tag/arsenal-fc/) midfielder started the thrilling win over Croatia and the goalless dud against [Ghana](https://metro.co.uk/tag/ghana-football-team/), but was left out of the 2-0 victory over Panama in the final group stage game.\n\nThe 27-year-old played 55 games for the Gunners last season and didn’t arrive at the [World Cup](https://metro.co.uk/tag/world-cup/) in perfect condition after a gruelling campaign.\n\nHe is fit enough to play, but his neural hamstring pain remains, which he says can strike at any time.\n\n## Don't miss a World Cup moment\n\nEngland updates, match previews and exclusive analysis. Get it all in our daily World Cup newsletter. [Sign up](https://metro.co.uk/newsletters/football-newsletter-in-the-mixer/?ito=live-factbox).\n\n‘You could be sat at home and you’d feel a little pain shoot up your leg,’ he said. ‘It’s just something that is obviously a bit unusual for me because I’ve never had anything (like that) before.\n\n### Ask Metro\n\n*Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications.*\n\n‘It’s strange because you can just feel it like sitting there. It’s something I’ve just managed. I’ve tried to get my rest when I can and last season I was just prioritising games.’\n\nThere was further concern for Rice after the Ghana draw as he was seen limping and with strapping around his calf.\n\n‘I got a dead calf in the last minute of the Ghana game,’ he explained. ‘The guy whacked me and it literally blew up for like three days, so that was just unlucky.\n\n‘It wasn’t actually a calf problem. I’m managing myself really well. I feel good, fit and strong.’\n\nSpeaking ahead of the huge game in Atlanta, Georgia, manager [Thomas Tuchel](https://metro.co.uk/tag/thomas-tuchel/) confirmed to the [BBC](https://metro.co.uk/tag/bbc-2/): ‘He’s fit to start.’\n\nAsked if he will start, Tuchel did not hide anything, saying: ‘Yeah. Of course.\n\n‘We always miss Declan [when he doesn’t play]. He is one of the best midfielders in connecting the deeper positions with the higher positions.\n\n‘He is a key player and super important.’\n\nRice is itching to get back in the team and win his 76th England cap on Wednesday, but says he is very comfortable if sitting out if that is what the team requires.\n\nThe Panama game made sense to miss, not just as he dealt with his fitness issues, but also because he was booked against Ghana and would have been suspended if he picked up another yellow card.\n\n‘We have a squad of 26 who are unbelievable and can play,’ he said. ‘Kobbie [Mainoo] can play, Jordan [Henderson] can play. Morgan [Rogers] came in and Jude [Bellingham] played as the No8.\n\n‘If it means that sometimes I have to miss out because we have other players who can play against a certain opposition, I’m fine with that, as long as we keep going and winning matches.\n\n‘I obviously want to play every match, but for the good of the team. The other day — with the calf [issue and] with me being on a yellow, as if I got another one, I would have missed the next game — I don’t mind missing out the odd game just for other players to play.’\n\nMORE: [Arsenal ‘given encouragement’ to sign £116m Liverpool target instead of Morgan Rogers](https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/30/arsenal-given-encouragement-sign-116m-psg-star-instead-morgan-rogers-28989117/?ico=more_text_links)\n\nMORE: [Danny Murphy baffles fans with cat anecdote during World Cup match](https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/30/danny-murphy-baffles-fans-cat-anecdote-world-cup-match-28989361/?ico=more_text_links)\n\nMORE: [Roy Keane names his two World Cup favourites: ‘They will meet in the final’](https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/30/roy-keane-names-two-world-cup-favourites-they-will-meet-final-28983625/?ico=more_text_links)", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/declan-rice-explains-strange-injury-hes-managing-at-the-world-cup", "canonical_source": "https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/30/declan-rice-explains-strange-injury-managing-world-cup-28989240/", "published_at": "2026-06-30 19:55:09+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-06-30 20:22:57.865847+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-safety"], "entities": ["Declan Rice", "England", "Arsenal", "DR Congo", "Ghana", "Panama", "Thomas Tuchel", "BBC"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/declan-rice-explains-strange-injury-hes-managing-at-the-world-cup", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/declan-rice-explains-strange-injury-hes-managing-at-the-world-cup.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/declan-rice-explains-strange-injury-hes-managing-at-the-world-cup.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/declan-rice-explains-strange-injury-hes-managing-at-the-world-cup.jsonld"}}