Declan Rice set for England debut after international switch from Ireland cleared by Fifa

The West Ham midfielder is now available for England’s upcoming fixtures against Czech Republic and Montenegro

Declan Rice is set to make his England debut after the West Ham midfielder’s international switch from Ireland was cleared by Fifa.

The 20-year-old, who was born in London but qualified for Ireland through his grandparents, had played three times for the Republic.

Those three games were friendlies, though, meaning Rice, who considers himself “to be of mixed nationality” was still eligible to switch allegiances.

In a statement, Fifa said: “FIFA can now confirm that the change of association of Declan Rice from Republic of Ireland to England has been approved.”

England face Czech Republic and Montenegro later this month and Rice is likely to be included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2020 Euro qualifiers.

Rice joins Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, who made the same switch in 2016.