DECLAN RICE has taken an EMPTY suitcase to Qatar — to bring home the World Cup.
The confident England and West Ham ace revealed his extra bag when he joined up with Gareth Southgate’s squad at St George’s Park on Monday.
Rice grinned as he patted the second suitcase and said to his driver: “There’s nothing in that one. That’s a spare.
“Hopefully I’ll bring home the trophy in this one.”
Rice, 23, will be in Gareth Southgate’s starting line-up and is in line to add to his 34 caps in the Qatar opener against Iran on Monday.
He told England’s YouTube channel: “It’s unbelievable, it’s crazy man, crazy.
“Special. It feels different. World Cup baby!”
Rice’s mood reflected the upbeat, confident mood of the Three Lions as they settled in at their five-star Souq Al Wakra Hotel base.
They took part in their first full training session yesterday at the nearby Al Wakrah stadium with the temperature at almost 30C.
Kyle Walker joined training in a boost to his fitness hopes after a groin injury.
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But the defender later admitted he would not be ready to play in the opener.
Walker, 32, may return to action when England take on the USA on Friday, 25 November.
The Three Lions will then round off their group stage campaign with a Battle of Britain clash with Wales on November 30.
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