2026 World Cup: I am ready and fit to start against Ghana – England midfielder Declan Rice

England midfielder Declan Rice has declared that he is ready and fit to start against Ghana on Tuesday night.

The Arsenal midfielder was withdrawn after appearing to struggle with discomfort in his hamstring and lower back, triggering concern within the England camp given his importance to the team’s midfield structure.

The incident briefly raised doubts about his readiness for the tournament’s early stages.

Rice, however, moved to reassure supporters and staff that the issue was precautionary.

“Yes, I’m ready. I’m fit and raring to go," he said. "I think it was a smart decision (to take me off).

"I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time.

"Obviously, not a lot of people would’ve known, it was all behind-the-scenes stuff," he added.

He stressed that the last phase of matches often carries the greatest risk for muscle-related setbacks, especially for players already carrying minor issues.

“It was a smart decision,” Rice added. “The last 20 minutes are where you probably pick up most injuries. That last 20 minutes is where you really feel your body going through it. The last few days I’ve felt really, really good.”

The much-anticipated clash is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT. Both Ghana and England opened their campaign with a win over Panama and Croatia, respectively.