Best England team for a long time? That’s a fact, says Rice

Declan Rice did not mince his words after England’s World Cup bronze medal in Miami, and his verdict was unambiguous: this is the strongest England squad in decades. The midfielder’s assessment came after a 6-4 victory over France secured a third-place finish—their best World Cup result since 1966—and capped a tournament that, despite the semi-final heartbreak, left the squad with a tangible sense of progress. Rice’s assertion was not hyperbole born of relief, but a reflection of a group that has shed the familiar narrative of underachievement and replaced it with something far more compelling.

From quarter-finals to podiums

The shift in England’s fortunes was not just measured in medals, but in the manner of their performances. A 6-4 win over France in a high-octane third-place playoff was the most eye-catching result, but it followed a semi-final defeat to Argentina that, while painful, was decided by the narrowest of margins. Rice, standing in as captain, was quick to acknowledge the disappointment of falling short in the last four, but he framed it as part of a broader upward trajectory. “We’re tired of saying we’re proud of coming in semi-finals and quarter-finals,” he said. “We want to win with England ultimately. But to come third in this tournament is a real achievement.” The squad’s pride was evident in Miami, where bronze medals were collected and then paraded for the travelling fans, a rare moment of celebration in a campaign that had tested emotions to their limits.

A team playing with broken hearts

Behind the medals and the podiums, the raw emotion of the squad was laid bare by assistant manager Anthony Barry during a half-time interview on Saturday. With England 4-0 up, Barry’s voice trembled as he described a group carrying the weight of unfulfilled potential. “I can’t find the words to describe how proud I am of these players,” he said. “They’re playing a game with broken hearts. I see 11 lads on the field with broken hearts. I’ve seen them in the hotel the last few days with broken hearts.” The sentiment cut through the usual post-tournament platitudes. This was not a team going through the motions; it was a squad that had fought, bled, and ultimately fallen short, but refused to accept that this was all they were capable of. Barry’s words underscored a unity that had been forged over seven weeks of relentless competition, a chemistry that transcended individual talent.

The tactical tightrope

Thomas Tuchel’s tenure has been scrutinised since England’s semi-final collapse, with critics questioning his approach in key moments. Yet Rice’s endorsement of the group suggests that, regardless of tactical debates, the squad’s belief in itself has never been stronger. The midfielder’s reference to “small margins” and “the boxes” highlighted how close England have come to glory, not just in this tournament, but across recent campaigns. The 6-4 win over France was a statement of intent, but it was also a reminder of the fine lines that separate triumph from heartbreak. Tuchel’s future remains uncertain, but the players’ faith in the project appears undimmed. “I don’t think that we lost the trust,” Rice said, a line that speaks to a dressing room that has moved beyond doubt and into a phase of collective ambition.

What comes next is unclear, but the ingredients for success are in place. England have proven they can compete with the world’s best, and their third-place finish is not just a reward for effort, but a platform for what could follow. Rice’s assertion that this is the best England group in a long time is not just a soundbite; it is a reflection of a squad that has redefined what it means to wear the Three Lions. The podium in Miami was a start, not an end. The real test will be whether this group can convert their belief into a trophy. For now, though, they have given England something it has craved for generations: a reason to believe.