Declan Rice's extensive playing time is raising concerns about his fitness as England progresses in the 2026 World Cup. Once regarded as an indomitable force in English football, Rice is now showing signs of fatigue that could jeopardize England's chances in the tournament.

Since the 2020/21 season, Rice has played a staggering 360 matches for both club and country. In the current season alone, he has already appeared 63 times before the match against Croatia on June 18. This level of exertion is enough to wear down even the most resilient athletes.

Despite his readiness to play, the physical limits of the human body are becoming apparent. Prior to the match against Croatia, Rice's performance dipped significantly; he lost possession more frequently and was exploited by Croatia's midfield, particularly by veteran Luka Modric. This was not the dominating midfielder that fans have come to expect from Rice.

As Rice left the field in the 72nd minute due to discomfort in his back and hamstring, England's balance was immediately disrupted. Croatia nearly capitalized on this moment, highlighting the lack of a suitable replacement for Rice. While Kobbie Mainoo possesses technical skills, he lacks the experience and physicality needed at this level. Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson, at 36, is not the long-term solution, and promising talents like Adam Wharton and Alex Scott were not included in the squad.

England's reliance on Rice, who has been playing almost continuously for the past 12 months, raises questions about the team's depth. Coach Thomas Tuchel faces a dilemma: continuing to play Rice could be a gamble that might backfire during the knockout stages of the World Cup. The tournament's format, extending over a month, necessitates careful management of player fatigue.

Historically, successful teams are those that manage to conserve the energy of their key players. Argentina's triumph in 2022 and France's victory in 2018 were partly due to their effective rotation strategies. In contrast, England risks overworking Rice, who could exceed 70 appearances this season if the team progresses to the finals.

Tuchel might consider Reece James as an alternative to Rice. James has shown promise in midfield roles, but his injury history raises further concerns. Thus, Tuchel is left with two options: one overworked and the other injury-prone, complicating his tactical decisions.

Despite England's 4-2 victory over Croatia, which showcased a strong attacking performance from players like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, the underlying question remains: if Declan Rice cannot maintain his peak performance, can England still be a title contender? The early signs from their match against Croatia suggest a pessimistic outlook.