Thomas Tuchel confirmed his 26-man England squad for this summer's World Cup on Friday morning. Manchester City defender John Stones made the cut despite his lack of playing time at club level this season.
Stones, 31, has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and has been restricted to just eight minutes of Premier League football in 2026, having come on as a late substitute in City's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace last week.
However, Tuchel has still put his faith in Stones, who has played every game at the last four major tournaments for England, helping the Three Lions reach the last two European Championship finals. Stones got the nod over the likes of Harry Maguire, Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah, and could now add to his 87 international caps this summer.
The experienced centre-back's inclusion highlights his continued importance to the national team setup, even as his club opportunities have dwindled. Stones will be expected to provide leadership and defensive solidity as England aim to go one step further after their recent near-misses in major tournaments.
