Declan Rice continues to push his physical limits with England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a long season in which he has played 63 matches for club and country.
The Arsenal midfielder revealed that he has been managing nerve pain in his hamstring for an extended period, but said his 72nd-minute substitution against Croatia was precautionary rather than a sign of a serious injury.
Rice has played 55 matches for Arsenal and eight for England this season, a workload he described as extremely heavy given the demands of domestic, European and international football.
He insists he is ready to continue with England ahead of their next group-stage match against Ghana, while the coaching staff continue to manage player workloads during the tournament.
Rice’s situation highlights the wider debate over fixture congestion and the physical strain on elite players, especially when a demanding club season is followed by a World Cup.