Football Daily - World Cup: Thomas Tuchel & Declan Rice ahead of Ghana match

Episode Date: June 23, 2026

England boss Thomas Tuchel and vice-captain Declan Rice have been speaking to John Murray ahead of their second group game against Ghana. They reflect on the mood in the England camp following the Croatia win in their first group match and how important a win against Ghana could be. John is also joined by former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, they talk about how England need to take advantage of their 'attacking freedom' and how the weather forecasted could work in England's favour, but also how they need to be aware of Ghana's front line. You can find full match commentary of England v Ghana on 5 Live with John Murray and Paul Robinson from 9pm.0’34 - Paul Robinson on the weather going into the game 1’51 - team selection for England v Ghana 4’00 - Thomas Tuchel on mood in England camp & learnings from Croatia game 7’00 - Paul Robinson on Jude Bellingham & England having ‘attacking freedom’ 9’47 - Declan Rice on his fitness 10’19 - The feeling in the camp post Croatia win 11’18 - How important the Ghana game will be 12’23 - Rice advice for fans in hot conditions at home 13’00 - Rice on winning Arsenal player of the season 14'57 - Paul Robinson on Ghana’s front line

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At the People World Cup 2026, the Football Daily Podcasts with John Murray. Hello from rainy Massachusetts ahead of England's second match at this World Cup, which is against Ghana. It's going to be played in the home of the New England Patriots just outside Boston. And if England win, they will be going through to the knockout stage as group winners. Paul Robinson is with me, 41 caps for England, played at the World Cup. We'll be together in the stadium. I've been there. You've not been there yet. The weather's interesting.

It absolutely poured down today. and where we sit there's no cover and rain is forecast for match day. Yeah, I don't think our listeners will be too worried about me and you, John. So long as we don't sit too close to the electric sockets, I think we might be okay. It's all about the team

and I think it's, you know, with the weather as it is, I think it's a blessing for the England squad because, you know, when you look around the different conditions, we've seen games delayed for the weather, we've seen the heat conditions in different areas. England were very fortunate to play in the air conditioning

of Dallas in the first game. game, but actually here it's almost like home, isn't it, mid-season? It's 20, 22 degrees. I flew up here from Atlanta after covering the Spain, Saudi Arabia game and arrived, and I was very surprised with the temperature, very, very mild and, as you say, very dull, overcast, which I think that will help England. Me too. So we will be bringing you the commentary on Five Live. The match is also going to be live on BBC television. Presently, we're going to hear from Thomas Tuchel and Declan Rice, who I spoke to at the stadium.

As we'll hear from Declan Rice, Harry Kane has spoken to the squad about the importance of getting this match won and the positive spinoffs of that further into the tournament for England, potentially. But first of all, Paul, what about the team selection for Thomas Tuchel? Is he going to go the same team again, do you think?

I wouldn't be surprised if he change it. I think there's two decisions that he's got to make. There was question marks over Ezri Konzer and John Stones and Mark Geh. Obviously we all thought six months ago, sorry, that it was going to be Mark Gae plus one other, and it actually didn't turn out to be that in the first game. England did look defensively susceptible at times, so that's a decision that he's got to make again, but we talked about that before the first game.

And Anthony Gordon, for me, I thought it was exceptional in the first two games, the warm-up games, and the outlet that they used was Maddowiki on the right-hand side. And I thought Gordon had a quiet game, and I thought the substitutes that came on, Marcus Rashford, I thought he was excellent, and he had an impact. impact. All the substitutes that Thomas Tuchel made all had an impact. And I think there's, you know, they've all made a case for a start. When you look at the way that they played on the front foot and the attacking style that they've got and then you realize the, he's not afraid to use his squad. He trusts his players. I mean, Jed Spence was a player that came on that we didn't expect to see at any point early in the tournament, if you like, unless there was an injury or a suspension to somebody. And he came on and I thought he had possibly. one of the biggest impacts of the substitutes. He had a golden opportunity when he went through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. His pace and power down that right-hand side,

Thomas Tuchel's spoken about him being the fastest player in the squad. And then we've also seen him been able to rotate within the game. We saw Jude Bellingham start as a 10, then dropped into the 6. He left the field. Rees-James went from right back to then go into the 6 to allow Jed Spence to come on. He's got so many options. I think his two big decisions are on the left-hand side and at centreback,

but I wouldn't be surprised if he does mix it up, because he trusts his players, which is a good thing. Well, he did say that everyone is fit, and on Bukaios Saka, Thomas Tukal said that he's not feeling any pain, and he has trained for the last couple of days, full training in advance of the Garner match. And he actually used the phrase, he's ready to go about Bukaiosaka. So we'll see about the team selection. But let's hear now from Thomas Tukal, the England manager,

just about how things have been since the win against Croatia. Well mood-wise it was easy because we had a deserved win and a good match and a lot of stuff what we can build on. And we had some stuff to improve. So we had three training sessions and before that a day off. So quite a long period within a tournament. But we feel ready to go tomorrow. Everyone is available. And then the tournament becomes more condensed for us.

What did you think when you had a look back at the match? I know you always seem to see different things. No, I think we were, overall we deserve to win. We had a good reaction to adversity, meaning to the both goals that we conceded. Both reactions were very good. One goal was with the last shot of the first half, which is kind of an awkward moment, but we responded with the best 25 half an hour of the match. So the reaction to adversity was very good.

We want to not spend so much time in a deep block that we did. And we had a little bit too much ball losses after ball wins, so we need to take care of that. Because our opponent waits exactly for that to start counter-attack. So we need to take care after ball wins to secure the ball better. And these were the key things to improve, but overall commitment, team spirit, energy and also quality was there. Do you think you've got a little bit of something?

going like you did in the autumn around those qualifiers? It felt a bit like that, it felt a bit like this, especially in the second half when we went for it and played with more courage and the energy. So this helps obviously because we are here to win and win helps like nothing else. Now we said let's learn from a win and it's a short period of time, it's a short tournament, so yeah.

There's quite an incentive isn't that? an incentive isn't there to win this in terms of the third group match? Well, it's always important. We try everything tomorrow, but we should also respect the opponent. I still think that we have a very difficult group to play in. Now that we saw Ghana play and saw Ghana with a new coach in the Friendly against Wales, it's just a lot of quality and a very, very solid defensive block and very, very difficult in counter-attacking, very physical team. is a lot of talent.

So like I said, I still believe that we play in a very difficult group. They got their win with a very late goal. So, yeah, it's an important match. So there we are. The England manager, Thomas Tuchel, I thought quite interestingly, talking about that feel and the vibe, if you want to call it that being similar to how it was in the autumn qualifiers.

I think you can see that from the players and you can see the response that he got from the players. I think the togetherness, the unity, and I think the most standout, the thing. Other of the performance and the result after the game, there was a lot of talk about Jude Bellingham coming into this tournament would he, wouldn't he, etc.

But actually Jude Bellingham was very open and honest in his post-match interviews as was the manager, as was Harry Kane and others in the squad. And they didn't get too high, they were quite happy with what they'd done, but they knew that the job was still to be done. But they spoke about a unity, about a togetherness

and about a team. And Thomas Tuchel spoke about individuals and it's not about individuals and it's about the team. And I think that's a real thing that he's brought to this. Gareth Southgate did that initially, and I like what he did, you know, the way that he handled his players, the way that he managed his players.

But with Thomas Tuchel, he's kind of taken, he's done that as well, but taking the shackles off them. They've got this attacking freedom. And I think one thing with Tuchel, he plays a system that suits individual players. He knows how to get the best out of his players. He won't play a player out of position just to get him in the side because he thinks he's a good player.

I think he's a very intelligent manager that he plays a system that almost works for every single individual that's on the field. And the players like that and the players get it. And if we get a performance like we did against Croatia, against Ghana, there's a lot of positives and we can look forward to a very interesting, long, hopefully, tournament. And they want to take up from where they're left off against Croatia in the second half. And there was a great quote from when he was speaking to the wider media today. He quoted the famous conductor Herbert von Karihan who said, when he was talking about conducting, he said, don't disturb the music.

So I'm not going to ask you about Herbert von Karihan, but you know, you get the gist, don't you? Don't disturb the music. If you've got a little bit of something good going, then keep it going. Yeah. And I think the thing that you can look at, and it's a phrase and a term that I used in commentary, as an England team at times we've been very guilty of defending our weaknesses rather than playing to our strengths

and you look at the plethora of attacking quality that we've got, the players that we've got, the individual talent that we've got as well as a collective talent, it's in the attacking third. Yes, of course we've got a good goalkeeper, we've got a good defensive system but at times susceptible

but they showed against Croatia that going forward and attacking is the best form of defence. Don't defend what you're not good at, do and concentrate what you're good at, and it was a perfect example of that. The other news is Declan Rice is absolutely fine. I don't think there's anything to worry about.

We're going to hear from him in a moment. But Declan Rice, Premier League winner, champion league runner-up last season. Arsenal's Player of the Year for a second season running. And it always is interesting to hear from Declan Rice, and this is what he had to say. I've trained every day since the last game. So, yeah, I'm managing it well.

It's all good. Yeah, and with someone who plays as many matches, there's probably always something, isn't there? Yeah, exactly. I think if you asked any player who's played this amount of games, you're never going to get through and feeling 100% always. That's just the job we're in and that's the way we play the game. So, yeah, look, the main thing is I'm fit, I'm ready to go and, yeah, I feel good. What's it been like the last few days since the Croatia match

compared to the feeling and the mood that you had had at other tournaments? Yeah, positive. I think every tournament I've been at after the first game, you always want to get off to a good start. That's the key. and we did that. And we've just followed on in terms of the vibes we've had in the camp since we got here, to be honest with you. Everyone's been calm. Everyone's been energetic on the other hand. Training sessions have been really good.

Down time's been really good. So, yeah, we've been relaxed. We've been good. Ramped it up the train in the last two days, focusing on Ghana because we know they're a strong team. So, yeah, it's important tomorrow we go out and put on a performance. Yes, they've got dangers, haven't they, obviously? Very good dangers, very good players, strong players. And obviously, know a lot of their players.

Yeah, we need to be on it tomorrow. You know, there's no easy games. If you've been watching this World Cup, which most people have, you will see there's been some shock results. And some of the teams that you probably don't doubt to get a result, get a result. And you need to be on it from the first whistle tomorrow. So, yeah, we need to be on it. And you know from tournaments the value of getting your qualification

from the group done early, don't you? Which can be done here? 100%. I think Harry spoke well about that earlier before training, just saying that how important in terms of for us. and how the rest of the week can look if we win. We put ourselves in a really good position. And obviously then going to the Panama game,

knowing that we've qualified, but also knowing that we want to make the group three out of three. So we need to build on from what we did the other night in the second half, and I'm sure you're going to see that. Yeah. And arriving here, you found rain and quite cool conditions, actually, which might be the case again for the match. Yeah, I've seen that.

I've seen the conditions. Yeah, obviously so far, we've obviously played in one indoor with aircon. which wasn't too hot in Dallas. And then obviously, you've just been outside now. It's raining. There's no roof.

Pitch is really good. So it could feel like we're in the UK, to be honest, which will be handy. So, yeah, let's wait and see. And, yeah, I think if it does rain, you know, that will be good for us. You've been coping with hot conditions

in the time that you've been here. You probably know that at home, everyone is absolutely sweltered. What would your advice be for them back home in hot, hot conditions? In hot conditions now at home? well, no, in Brits and those English people when the sun comes out, everyone gets excited, didn't they?

So probably don't drink too much and take it easy. So yeah, just enjoy it. So it's obviously going to be a big night again. You see the reaction the other night. We all see the videos as players what it means back home to people in the pubs, watch along with all their friends. So, yeah, it's a special time to play, and hopefully we can make them happy again.

And one other thing, I notice you've got the Arsenal player of the year, award again which I was interested to see who got that you must be chuffed with that yeah obviously I'm delighted to get it you know you can't take their moments for granted massive thank you for the fans obviously voting me for player the season again it's obviously an honour but I do have to say that it could have gone to David Ray or Gabrielle as well they obviously finished second and third but I think without them this season nowhere we would have been Premier League champions so yeah I think

Even though I've won it, I'll probably share the award just as much in my mind with them. It's just because of how good down and how important they've been this season. So there we are, England midfielder Declan Rice, who I thought, you know, talking about how Harry Kane has spoken to the squad about the importance of winning the second match. So in the recent tournament, the last three tournaments, World Cup European Championship, England have drawn the second match. And if they can win this one, the knock-on-up.

What effect of that is that Tucko could potentially make wholesale changes for the Panama match, the final group match? Yeah, and I think he will do that if the result is favourable for England. But I also think on the other side of that, that momentum is key. I think you take that performance against Croatia, you take the result, you don't want a dipping performance in the Ghana game. You want to take that on and you want to win every game. You know, momentum is key in a tournament. and if you can continue winning games it's not a bad habit to be

but as you say that that second game has been pivotal recently for England in recent big tournaments but I think in any tournament or in any league situation if you can get into a habit of winning games you're going to be in a very good place because we've seen teams win major tournaments

in the past that haven't necessarily kicked into gear in the early stages we've seen teams win tournaments that have lost their first game that have qualified sluggishly and gone on to go deep into tournaments, but I really do believe in momentum and carrying that through the tournament. Just word on Garner, who might have Thomas Party back in the team tomorrow.

An interesting front line, isn't it? Antoine Semenio, Brandon Thomas Asante and Jordan Aryu. I mean, that's a real mix, isn't it? No, they've got players who can hurt England in the offensive positions without a shadow of a doubt. Semenio, for me, one of the players of the season in the Premier League. and I think when you look at Garner's recent record they don't score too many goals though when you talk about those players they do sit in a low defensive block

and they're a hard team to beat I mean they squeeze past Panama in the last game a very late goal up past the 90th minute mark they're going to be a difficult team to break down but they will pose an offensive threat on the counter attack I think we'll see them play a deep line

defensive line and try and hold England to you know to a goalless draw at some point but then they're going to have to have an attacking threat. I think England's biggest thing will be patience, use the creativity that they've got and try and break this Garner defence down.

But as you say, they have got very good attacking players. Under Carlos Keros, who's managing at his fifth World Cup in a row, and also Garner, I think the point should be made in terms of the 48 teams who came to this World Cup, only four teams are further down the world rankings than Garner. But as Thomas Tuchel was saying, clearly they will not be underestimated. So very good, excellent.

So for anyone listening who's coming, might be listening to us in Massachusetts, make sure you bring a coat with you. Do join us if you're not, when we will be in the New England Patriots Stadium for the commentary on England against Ghana, which kicks off at 9 o'clock BST. It is live on 5 Live,

live on BBC 1 as well. And actually this is a match where you can listen to the 5 Live, commentary alongside the BBC TV pictures, if you desire, on the red button or the eye player. But that is it for us. As I say, we'll be in the stadium next time you hear from us. And next on the Football Daily Feed, it is Rick and Lloyd from California. The 23 Ballandor, France footballer in Messi.

This is the story of the greatest rivalry in the history of sport, a rivalry that split football. ball into two fates for a generation. There could be no, oh, Messi and Ronaldo are both great players. There had to be one that was better. They 100 million percent pushed each other to the next level. You know, we were the lucky ones who got to see it. I'm Steve Crossman. This is Sporting Giants, Messi v. Ronaldo.

Listen first on BBC Sounds. Step inside the Range Rover sport and experience refinement in every detail. With features like cabin air purification and active noise cancellation, every drive feels composed and considered. Explore more at range rover.ca. How did a boycott Jimmy become a billionaire from posting videos? On good, bad billionaire, we're going to find out how the world's most popular YouTuber, Mr. Beast, made his fortune. He's buried himself in a coffin for days. Counted to 100,000 on camera.

And even recreated squid games all in an attempt to go viral on the internet. But it all started when he gave a homeless man $10,000. So is he a philanthropist to reshaping? capitalism or is he just the king of the attention economy find out on good bad billionaire from the BBC World Service listen now wherever you get your BBC podcasts