SportFootballStale SolbakkenDeclan Rice has been forced to play through injury and illness for Arsenal and England at the World Cup23:09, 11 Jul 2026Updated 23:17, 11 Jul 2026Gary Neville and Ian Wright have expressed concern over Declan Rice's fitness after the Arsenal star 'didn't look right' during England's World Cup quarter-final. Former Three Lions international Lee Dixon noticed how the Arsenal midfielder looked devoid of energy during the Three Lions' World Cup quarter-final with Norway.‌Rice had to overcome a bug to be fit for selection to face Stale Solbakken's side in Miami on Saturday, while he has been nursing a persistent issue with his hamstring. The Gunners star played through the problem in order to help them to their first Premier League title in 20 years while he has been forced to play through after emerging as a star man for Thomas Tuchel.‌The 27-year-old was left out of the starting 11 entirely for their 2-0 win over Panama in the final match of their group stage campaign. However, Dixon felt that the problems were beginning to catch up with Rice.‌He said: "It's not like Declan Rice, it took him an age to get out there to take that corner, he looks energy-depleted. His body language... he's hit two corners, a free-kick, he never misses the spot, it's just missing from his game."He wandered over, we're 1-0 down, get yourself over, take it quickly. He just looks off colour, which we know he is."Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!‌Rice was brought off at half-time and replaced by Eberechi Eze. Gary Neville said: "I think it could be Declan Rice because in the first-half, I don't know what was up with him. He was struggling with corners, and I wondered whether he looked fit."Ian Wright added: "He has been struggling in the first-half, you could tell with his set-pieces, he didn't look right."England fell behind after a dominant first half-hour when Andreas Schjelderup's cross-cum-shot caught Jordan Pickford off guard. The World Cup darkhorses then had a gilt-edged chance go begging when Alexander Sorloth failed to convert a counter-attack when he selfishly opted to go alone, despite golden boot-chasing Erling Haaland in support.‌They were forced to rue the passage of play when Jude Bellingham powered home the equaliser after combining with Anthony Gordon. Solbakken couldn't hide his frustration as he threw a water bottle towards his bench clipping one of the Norwegian staff members on its way to the ground, a similar action to when Sorloth squandered a good goalscoring opportunity.There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story.Article continues belowFollow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌FIFA World CupWorld Cup 2026England football teamStale SolbakkenGary NevilleThomas TuchelIan WrightPremier LeagueArsenal FCFitnessDeclan Rice