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Declan Rice injury update as Arsenal midfielder is benched for England vs Panama
Jun 27 2026 21:18 · By Chris Davie · 10 Reads
Declan Rice is benched for England’s game against Panama (Getty)
Declan Rice has been benched for England ’s final game in Group L against Panama after suffering a calf injury.
The Arsenal midfielder was taken off in the 72nd minute during England’s 4-2 win over Croatia but played a 90 minutes in the goalless draw against Ghana on Tuesday.
However, Rice was seen leaving the stadium after the draw with Ghana with his left calf strapped, while he has also been managing a hamstring injury since December.
Speaking before kick off on Saturday night, Thomas Tuchel revealed that he is being cautious over Rice’s playing time after he suffered a ‘knock’, while he is also concerned that the Arsenal midfielder will be banned for England’s round of 32 game if he receives a yellow card against Panama.
(Picture: Getty)
‘I take care today of Declan’s situation, he got a knock, he is ready to play but I would like to manage his minutes a little bit,’ Tuchel told ITV .
Declan Rice had his left calf heavily strapped after England’s draw with Ghana on Tuesday
‘And he has a yellow card so I want to see how this match players out – is it an intense match, are there a lot of duels, how is the referee with the yellow cards today.
‘I need to get a feel for that and Declan knows that, that’s why Jude goes in the No.8 position and Morgan is in the No.10.’
Tuchel has made five changes to his England side for the game against Panama with Rice, Anthony Gordon , Noni Madueke and Djed Spence dropping to the bench, while Reece James is out of the squad due to a hamstring injury .
Jarell Quansah gets his first World Cup start at right-back, while Nico O’Reilly returns at left-back.
In midfield, Morgan Rogers is handed his first start with Jude Bellingham dropping to a deeper midfield role in Rice’s absence.
Marcus Rashford replaces Gordon on the left, while Bukayo Saka is preferred to his Arsenal teammate Madueke on the right.
England have already qualified for the round of 32, regardless of their result against Panama.
