Declan Rice will serve as England's vice-captain at the upcoming World Cup, manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed.

The Arsenal midfielder, 27, brings considerable authority to the role — he has earned 72 caps for the Three Lions and is set to be one of the most experienced figures in Tuchel's starting line-up this summer.

Tuchel revealed the appointment following Saturday's friendly victory over New Zealand, stating: "I think I would say Declan is my vice-captain." When pressed on whether Rice had been formally informed, Tuchel admitted the arrangement had been communicated during Harry Kane's absence from camp. "That was where I told him," the England manager said.

A season to remember at club level

Rice arrives at the World Cup on the back of a remarkable club campaign. He was central to Arsenal's run to the UEFA Champions League final, which they lost on penalties to Paris St-Germain last weekend, and played a key part in the Gunners winning the Premier League title for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

Rice had already deputised as captain during Kane's absence for October's friendly against Wales, with Ollie Watkins leading the attack in place of the Bayern Munich striker on that occasion.

Camp life in the United States

Rice has now linked up with England's training camp in Florida, joined by his Arsenal team-mates Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze. The squad are preparing for a final warm-up friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday, as well as a behind-closed-doors fixture with Miami FC before relocating to their World Cup base in Kansas City on Saturday.

England open their Group L campaign on 17 June against Croatia. Ghana and Panama are the other sides in the group — meaning African football fans will be watching closely when the Three Lions and Ghana meet.