Declan Rice Reflects on England's Challenge Ahead of World Cup Glory
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has openly addressed the pressures that come with representing England as they aim for their first World Cup trophy in 60 years. As the national team prepares for the tournament, Rice acknowledges the emotional rollercoaster players face, stating he is ready to be "hated one minute and loved the next." With 72 caps under his belt, Rice is set to play a crucial role for England, especially as they look to overcome a long-standing drought in major tournament victories, with their last triumph being the 1966 World Cup. He emphasized that the biggest challenge lies in managing the scrutiny that comes with being an England player, particularly in an event expected to be the most-watched football spectacle in four years. Reflecting on the team's dynamics, Rice drew comparisons to England's previous "Golden Generation" featuring legends like Wayne Rooney and David Beckham, who often struggled due to club rivalries. He praised the current squad's strong camaraderie, stating, "There’s a real connection between us." "Football’s not like that anymore. A lot of people have best friends from opposite teams." "With England, we all get on. We always look forward to seeing each other." Before fully shifting his focus to international duties, Rice will compete for Arsenal in their upcoming matches against Burnley and Crystal Palace. Winning both could secure Arsenal their first league title since 2004. For more insights, check out the full feature in the June issue of British Vogue, available from May 19.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-05-15