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Best England team for a long time? That’s a fact, says Rice
England secured a bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup after a dramatic 6-4 win over France in the third-place play-off, their best finish at the tournament since winning it outright in 1966. Stand-in captain Declan Rice hailed the current squad as the strongest England group in years, insisting major tournament glory is now within reach despite the disappointment of losing to Argentina in the semi-final.
The Miami victory capped an emotional week for the team, with assistant manager Anthony Barry visibly moved during a half-time interview, describing players performing "with broken hearts" following the semi-final exit. Manager Thomas Tuchel, who delivered England's best World Cup finish under a non-English manager, looks set to continue into Euro 2028 on home soil, though questions remain over England's long-standing struggle to beat elite nations at major tournaments, a pattern some trace back to their 2002 win over Argentina.
In short
- England beat France 6-4 to claim World Cup bronze, best since 1966
- Declan Rice calls this England's strongest squad in years
- Tuchel expected to stay on despite semi-final loss to Argentina
Explained simply
England last won the World Cup in 1966 and has not repeated that triumph since, despite producing many talented squads. The nation has frequently disappointed in major tournaments when facing elite opposition, leading to a long-standing pattern of frustration amongst supporters and analysts.
The current England squad features a generation of players widely regarded as exceptionally gifted, playing for top clubs across Europe and bringing both experience and youthful talent to the team. Declan Rice is the captain and a key midfielder for the team, whilst the squad also contains several other players considered amongst the world's best in their positions.
Manager Thomas Tuchel, a German coach who has previously worked with elite European clubs, was appointed to finally deliver World Cup success that has eluded England for six decades. Whether this squad truly represents a genuine opportunity to end England's World Cup drought remains one of football's most watched storylines.