Declan Rice hails Harry Kane as England’s talisman ahead of Ghana clash

Declan Rice has hailed Harry Kane as one of England’s greatest players, calling his leadership a gift he’ll tell his grandchildren about.

What happened?

England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opening Group L fixture on 15 June. Declan Rice, now Arsenal’s vice-captain, will wear the armband for the first time in his 75th cap against Ghana today in Foxborough. The Three Lions need only a point to top the group and reach the last 32.

Why it matters for Declan Rice

Rice’s rise at Arsenal convinced Thomas Tuchel to name him vice-captain behind Kane. “For me, he’s one of those players I’ll look back and tell my grandchildren I played alongside,” Rice said. “I’m very fortunate that he’s our captain and he leads by example.” Rice called Kane’s goal record and performances “no surprise,” citing his consistency at Bayern Munich and for England.

What comes next?

A win over Ghana secures England’s knockout spot and likely the group’s top seed. They’ll face a third-place finisher in the Round of 16. Rice’s leadership role grows as Kane, 33, eyes his final World Cup push this summer.

The bigger picture

Kane has captained England to back-to-back Euros finals without lifting a trophy. His 2026 World Cup bid is seen as his last realistic chance at a major crown. Rice’s words underscore the bond between the two, with Rice set to inherit the armband as Kane’s era winds down.