Declan Rice Skips Group Training Ahead of Norway Clash

Declan Rice missed England’s group training on 5 July, just days before the senior side faces Norway in a friendly at Wembley. The midfielder’s absence, confirmed by the FA, leaves the midfield trio of Rice, James and Guehi all sidelined as the squad fine‑tunes for the upcoming fixture.

On 5 July, England’s training camp in London saw three first‑team regulars sit out the session: Rice, Liverpool’s Reece James and West Ham’s Marc Guehi. The FA released a brief statement noting the trio were unavailable due to “minor niggles” and would be monitored by the medical team. No further details were given, but the timing means they will miss the final tactical run‑through before the Norway game on 9 July.

Rice is England’s midfield anchor, often dictating tempo and shielding the defence. Missing a training day disrupts the rhythm he builds with teammates like Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson. Coach Gareth Southgate relies on Rice’s positional awareness to transition quickly from defence to attack, especially against a disciplined side like Norway that favours compactness. The midfielder’s absence could force Southgate to tweak his formation, perhaps shifting to a double‑pivot with Bellingham and Phil Foden sharing duties.

With Rice out, Southgate is likely to lean on Bellingham’s box‑to‑box energy and Foden’s creativity. James, also missing, usually provides width and crossing options, while Guehi’s defensive presence is missed in the back line. The squad may resort to a more conservative shape, keeping the midfield tighter to compensate for the lost experience. Backup players such as Conor Gallagher or James Maddison could see minutes, offering a chance to test depth ahead of the Euro qualifiers.

The Norway friendly is scheduled for 9 July at Wembley, kicking off at 20:00 BST. England will field a side that blends regular starters with fringe players, giving Southgate a glimpse of alternatives should injuries persist. Rice is expected to re‑join training within a few days, pending medical clearance. If he returns before the match, he could still feature as a late substitute, providing a boost in the closing stages.

Supporters took to social media, expressing concern over the trio’s fitness. Some fans worry the injuries could linger into the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign, while others remain optimistic, pointing to the squad’s depth. Pundits on Sky Sports highlighted that England’s midfield has become more versatile, suggesting the team can adapt without Rice for a short spell.

Rice’s missed training session adds a layer of uncertainty to England’s preparation for Norway. While the midfielder’s influence is undeniable, the squad’s depth offers a buffer. The next few days will reveal whether the medical staff can clear him in time, and how Southgate reshapes his midfield strategy for the friendly.

**Date:** 5 July 2026

**Event:** England pre‑match training before Norway friendly

**Key players out:** Declan Rice, Reece James, Marc Guehi