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While Declan Rice has declared he'll do "anything" for England at the 2026 World Cup, the Arsenal midfielder is eager to avoid another stint at right back when the Three Lions face Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday evening.
England advanced to the last 16 thanks to a superb Harry Kane double, having fallen behind and struggled for large portions of their knockout clash against DR Congo.
Brian Cipenga's opener in the seventh minute caught Thomas Tuchel's side off guard, with goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi putting in a standout performance to keep England at bay. But the outcome was never truly in doubt once a Kane header finally beat the Congolese shot-stopper with 15 minutes remaining.
Prior to Kane's match-winning contribution, Tuchel was compelled to act, and his tactical intervention proved crucial to England's turnaround. Lacking natural options at right back, the German head coach deployed midfielder Rice, who had found it difficult alongside Elliot Anderson in the center of the park.
Declan Rice Comments on Right Back Role
Rice was occasionally deployed at center back during his early days in the senior setup at West Ham United, and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has also tried him at full back in more recent times. Even so, it's far from a position the 27-year-old has perfected, or particularly relishes.
Nevertheless, with Tuchel running low on alternatives and England requiring a tactical shake-up, he moved Rice to the right flank after substituting Djed Spence, opening a spot for the creative Eberechi Eze in midfield.
"It was probably the toughest 12 minutes of the match playing at right back," Rice told the BBC after the game.
"I've played there two or three times this season. I understand the position, it's probably not my greatest strength, but I'll do whatever it takes for the team and the manager," he added.
Tuchel's substitutions created an Arsenal triangle along England's previously disjointed right side, featuring Rice, Eze and Bukayo Saka. It was a combination involving the Gunners trio — with Rice bursting forward on the underlap — that produced the equalizing goal.
Rice was pleased with how he handled the role on the whole, but he is keen to start in midfield for what is shaping up to be a monumental occasion at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday night, where England faces the co-host in a thunderous atmosphere. A quarterfinal berth hangs in the balance.
"I said I'd give my best, and I think I performed well there. We'll see what happens in the next game, but hopefully I won't need to play at right back," Rice said.
Could Reece James Return for England vs. Mexico?
Rice won't need to concern himself with a potential defensive role if Reece James recovers in time to feature against Mexico.
James has a well-documented history of hamstring problems, and while his current issue is believed to be relatively minor, he has already sat out England's last two fixtures.
There was initially a sense that James would not be available until the deeper rounds of the tournament; however, he offered an encouraging update on his fitness following Wednesday's victory.
"It's fine; I'm feeling good," he told The Athletic.
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The Chelsea captain is targeting a return for Sunday's match, though there remains a real possibility that Tuchel will need to look elsewhere. Should he wish to keep Rice in his midfield, the German coach has Spence, Ezri Konsa and potentially Jarell Quansah available as alternatives.
Quansah sat out the DR Congo victory due to an ankle injury.