Tuchel confirms Rice ready to start England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina after illness

Declan Rice has been cleared to start England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, with head coach Thomas Tuchel confirming the Arsenal midfielder came through training unscathed at the squad’s Kansas City base before flying to Georgia.

Rice had been bedbound for three days ahead of the quarter-final victory over Norway in Miami — a bout of illness that followed England’s last-16 trip to Mexico — and was withdrawn at half-time in that 2-1 extra-time win, producing an unusually muted display. Tuchel also revealed Rice has been managing nagging hamstring pain since Christmas, making Tuesday’s full training session a significant step.

“Everyone is fit to start, except Jarell [Quansah] and Jordan [Henderson]. Declan [Rice] is ready to start and [had] as good a recovery as possible,” Tuchel said.

Jordan Henderson was the only member of England’s 26-man squad absent from training on Tuesday, having undergone arm surgery after a heavy fall during the Mexico game. Jarell Quansah did take part in the session but will sit out the semi-final regardless, serving the second match of a two-game ban following his red card at the Estadio Azteca.

Right-back Reece James is also pushing for a starting berth after returning from a three-game hamstring absence as a second-half substitute against Norway.

England face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, with a place in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium at stake.