Rice Hails 'Best England Group' After World Cup Bronze Medal Win
The pride and passion emanating from Declan Rice is palpable as he declares this England squad to be the 'best group for a very long time', their third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup a testament to their unyielding spirit. And what an occasion it was, with a 6-4 thriller against France sending them tumbling into bronze medal territory – the most successful campaign since that momentous 1966 triumph.
Yet, as Rice basked in the glow of his team's achievement, the sting of their semi-final defeat to Argentina still lingered. He poured heart and soul into his words, acknowledging the 'small margins' that had cost them dear in previous tournaments – semi-finals and quarter-finals – but insisting that third place was a monumental step forward.
Assistant manager Anthony Barry's emotions were on full display as he spoke of players battling with 'broken hearts' after their semi-final loss, a poignant reminder of the squad's unshakeable team spirit. It was a performance born from the fire of their collective passion and commitment, dismissing any whispers that they lacked the drive to succeed.
With Euro 2028 on the horizon – and England set to co-host – manager Thomas Tuchel remains resolute in his ambition to bridge the gap to the world's elite. Despite some harsh criticism for his semi-final tactical decisions against Argentina, he insists there is a 'slight gap' to be closed, but has every faith that his team will conquer it. The trust within the squad remains strong, Tuchel asserted, even as they nurse their painful World Cup exit.
Tuchel reflected on the agony of missing out on the final with a candid assessment: "It's a 'scar' we'll all carry for a long time." He acknowledged that this England team is 'ferociously competitive', making it hard to truly appreciate third place when their ultimate goal was to lift the World Cup trophy. Yet, in a testament to his vision and leadership, Tuchel believes this experience will serve as a pivotal learning curve as they set their sights on future tournaments.