England’s quality means they should be feared by other nations at the World Cup, says midfielder Declan Rice.
The Three Lions are through to the round of 16 in Qatar and will face Senegal on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Rice believes England’s “world-class talent” and the team’s trophy-winning experience with their clubs combine to make England a formidable opposition.
“Other nations will look at our quality – and why shouldn’t we be feared?” said the West Ham United captain.
“If you look at our attacking talent, we have world-class talent. Overall, we have players who have won the biggest trophies.
“It’s up to us to prove it. France have done it. We’re not just here to qualify for the round of 16, we want to go all the way.”
England players have the experience of reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the final of the European Championship last year.
Rice acknowledges manager Gareth Southgate faces a ‘selection headache’ for the game against Senegal with Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden competing for two starting spots alongside Harry Kane in the England attack.
But he says there is nothing but positive support within the squad for whoever gets the nod.
“What’s so good about our group here is that we all support each other,” added the 23-year-old.
“There’s probably a selection headache for the manager, but whoever he chooses, I know everyone will support each other. It’s a real team effort now.
“I think [the competition is] high level – it’s always nice to know that you can bring in players who can instantly change the game.
“We have world-class players who can do it. In a World Cup, you need them.
“The competition is really healthy and I would do anything to win the World Cup. So if that means someone coming in and helping, that’s all that matters. We all share the same goal.”
England entered the World Cup after a six-game losing streak and relegation from the Nations League.
However, they topped Group B after wins over Iran and Wales and a goalless draw with the United States.
Rice, who is in her first World Cup, says confidence is high within the camp as England prepare for the high stakes of the knockout stage.
“Our mentality now is fantastic, we have players who have won trophies year after year – so they brought that mentality and installed it in England,” he said.
“It’s also about the manager, the way he talks to us, he’s so calm. He emphasizes that we are England, we are as big as anyone else and we can achieve anything. When you have a manager like that, anything is possible.
“The closest I came to a big shock was beating Germany and I remember thinking that day in the dressing room, there was no way we would lose.
“You want that feeling, because that’s what takes you all the way.”
