World Cup 2026: England’s Declan Rice feels like he will get an assist at every corner

Declan Rice feels like he will get an assist “every time” he takes a corner – and says England supporters should be “excited” for what is to come at the World Cup.

England looked threatening from set-pieces during their 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening match of the tournament.

Harry Kane’s opening goal from the penalty spot came after Noni Madueke was fouled following a Rice cross – and the England captain headed home his second from a Rice corner.

The 27-year-old was part of an Arsenal side that scored from a record 19 corners last season as they won their first Premier League title in 22 years.

However, the Gunners faced criticism for a pragmatic style of play and reliance on set-pieces (scoring 25 goals from set-plays overall).

“Everyone’s enjoying [set-pieces] now, aren’t they?” Rice said, speaking to BBC Sport at England’s base in Kansas City. “Everyone’s enjoying them now.”

Rice became Arsenal’s designated set-piece taker in January 2024 after a mid-season training camp in Dubai – and the Gunners are now renowned for their prowess from such situations.

“I wouldn’t ever take corners or set-pieces, but [set-piece coach] Nico [Jover] and the manager at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn’t,” Rice said.

“They said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no-one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo [Saka]. From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that.

“As time has gone on I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece – whether it’s a corner or a wide free-kick – I feel like I’m going to get an assist or make something happen that’s dangerous.

“That’s a good mentality to have over set-pieces… and England fans can be excited.”

The midfielder is England’s vice-captain at this tournament and has become one of the most consistent corner takers in the Premier League.

England boss Thomas Tuchel has put an emphasis on wanting to play football that replicates the style that is played in the Premier League.

Rice says the Three Lions have worked on set-pieces since the German took over in January 2025 – but the tactical aspect of the game is what has dominated training sessions.

“We only get a small amount of time here to work on them because we have to work on loads of other stuff,” Rice said.

“But also we’ve been putting this format and the way we’re going to take set-pieces in since Thomas has come in.

“A lot of the way we’ve taken them hasn’t changed much in terms of the movements, the way I deliver the ball…

“This has been going on in the lead-up for the past year, so the lads know what’s coming… where I’m going to deliver the ball.

“So there’s a real gameplan and it’s just on me to deliver and obviously the boys have to free themselves up in the box.”