Rice praises England squad as best group in long time

England’s national team clinched a third‑place finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a decisive victory in the tournament’s final match, prompting midfielder Declan Rice to describe the squad as “the best England group for a very long time.” The Three Lions, who entered the competition as one of the pre‑tournament favourites, concluded the group stage with six points, registering wins over Senegal and the United States before a narrow loss to Japan, and advanced through the knockout rounds with victories over Brazil and Mexico before falling to Argentina in the semi‑final.

Rice’s comments came during the post‑match press conference, where he highlighted the depth of talent across the midfield, defence and attack, noting that the balance of experience and youth gave England a competitive edge throughout the tournament. Coach Gareth Southgate echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the team’s resilience and tactical flexibility, and indicated that the strong showing will serve as a foundation for upcoming international fixtures and the next European Championship. The third‑place result marks England’s highest finish since winning the tournament in 1966 and reinforces its status as a leading force in world football.