Atlanta: England manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed on Wednesday (IST) that midfielder Declan Rice is fit to start in the World Cup semi-final against reigning champions Argentina.

"Everyone is fit to start, and everyone was in training except for Jarell (Quansah), who is suspended and Jordan Henderson," Tuchel told reporters in Atlanta on the eve of Thursday's showdown (IST).

Henderson remains sidelined after sustaining a broken arm in a freak accident at the conclusion of England's victory over co-hosts Mexico in the round of 16. Rice had been battling illness and was withdrawn at half-time during the quarter-final triumph over Norway.

"Rice is ready to start and as well recovered as possible," said Tuchel, who expressed excitement at the prospect of England renewing their long-standing footballing rivalry with Argentina.

"It is a big rivalry, two big football nations, everyone who loves football and follows the World Cup knows about this and about what it brings," the German tactician remarked.

"We expect an intense and emotional match, with a lot of momentum swings."

The storied history surrounding the fixture includes the famous 1986 quarter-final in Mexico City, where Diego Maradona struck twice to eliminate England—scoring first with the infamous 'Hand of God' before netting one of the greatest individual goals of all time.

The two sides also clashed in a memorable 1998 last-16 tie in Saint-Etienne, which Argentina won on penalties after David Beckham was sent off.

"We don't use it as a fuel," Tuchel insisted when questioned about the historical enmity.

"We know why we are here, we know what we want, we were never shy of expecting that from ourselves, and of saying it or of dreaming it.

"We are in the semi-finals, and we arrive very hungry. We want to have the next win. We respect our opponent, but we don't dip into historic events, and we don't make it bigger than it is."

AFP