Tech
Jun 15, 20261
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John Stones overcomes injury setbacks to earn England World Cup place
John Stones has been named in England’s World Cup squad despite a season disrupted by injuries and a period last year when he considered retirement. Manager Thomas Tuchel has backed the defender, who said his selection brought "pure joy" after a difficult recovery.
Stones could start against Croatia in England’s opening match and is now in line for his sixth major tournament.
Quick Facts
Who
John Stones
What
John Stones was selected in England's 26-player World Cup squad
When
last October
Where
England
- John Stones was selected in England's 26-player World Cup squad
- Stones said he had considered retirement after a series of injuries
- Stones said he had to 'dig deep' to recover mentally and physically
- Thomas Tuchel backed Stones for the squad
- Stones is in line to start England's opener against Croatia
John Stones has secured a place in England’s 26-man World Cup squad after a difficult run of injuries that briefly left him considering retirement. The 32-year-old defender said he had to "dig deep" to get through one of the toughest periods of his career and described being selected by manager Thomas Tuchel as a moment of "pure joy".
Stones is in line to start England’s tournament opener against Croatia on Wednesday and could be a key part of Tuchel’s plans if he remains fit. Tuchel has backed the Manchester City defender, saying he remains a "big part" of the squad and has "a lot of credit in the bank".
The decision comes after a season in which Stones played only 439 Premier League minutes and appeared in 18 matches for City in all competitions. He missed two months with a thigh injury and was also ruled out of England’s pre-tournament friendlies because of a calf problem.
Despite the setbacks, Stones said he believes one of his biggest achievements has been repeatedly returning to top form after injuries. He also said Tuchel "saw the kid inside" him when he received the call confirming his selection. It will be Stones’ sixth major tournament for England.
Why This Matters
This selection validates Stones' resilience and Tuchel's trust in experienced players, potentially impacting England's defensive performance in the tournament.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 15, 2026
WireBBC published the report on Stones' England squad selection.