England head into the 2026 World Cup with several players capable of making a massive impact.
Harry Kane will obviously carry huge responsibility as captain, while the likes of Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers will all be expected to deliver on the biggest stage.
However, tournaments are not always decided by the obvious names alone. Sometimes, the player who sets the tone every game becomes just as important as the one who scores the goals.
Kane seems to feel that could be Declan Rice this summer, and the England captain has now made a big prediction about the Arsenal midfielder.
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Harry Kane says he has a ‘special feeling’ about Declan Rice at the World Cup
Rice is no stranger to major tournaments anymore.
The Arsenal midfielder has been a key figure for England for years and has already experienced the pressure that comes with playing deep into international competitions.
That experience matters.
Rice is no longer just the energetic midfielder trying to prove himself on the world stage. He is now one of the best players in the Premier League, a title winner with Arsenal and one of the leaders in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
That is exactly why Kane believes this could be a huge tournament for him.
The Bayern Munich striker was asked which of his teammates he expects to do really well at the World Cup. After thinking about it, Kane picked Rice.
He said on B/R Football: “I look at someone like Dec. I feel like he has consistently been playing at a high level for a long period of time.
“He’s getting to that kind of age where you start to mix experience plus the physical attributes that he brings.
“The mindset maybe shifts a little bit. It’s obviously not his first tournament. So all those things add up.
“If I had to say anyone, Dec. Obviously, first and foremost, I hope he has a great tournament, but I have a special feeling about him this summer.”
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Declan Rice could become England’s most important player in 2026
England have plenty of attacking stars, but Rice may be the player who gives everything balance.
The Arsenal number 41’s ability to win duels, cover ground, carry the ball and dictate games from midfield makes him absolutely vital in tournament football.
Under Mikel Arteta, he has already shown he can lead a team through pressure and deliver consistently across an entire season. Now, the challenge is doing it on the biggest international stage of all.
If Rice performs at his Arsenal level at the World Cup, England will have a serious chance of going all the way.
Kane clearly senses something special coming, and Arsenal fans will not be surprised if he is proved right.
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