England defender John Stones has overcome recent thoughts of retirement to secure his place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad ahead of Wednesday’s tournament opener against Croatia.
The 32-year-old admitted he had to dig deep mentally after a string of severe injuries nearly forced him to quit the game last October.
Despite playing just 439 minutes of Premier League football for Manchester City last season, the experienced centre-back retained the unshakeable faith of his national team manager.
He is now in strong contention to start alongside Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa when the Three Lions begin their campaign.
Tuchel shows faith in tournament veteran
The Yorkshire-born defender was selected ahead of established internationals Harry Maguire and Levi Colwill for the 26-player travelling party.
His inclusion marks a sixth major tournament appearance, having previously helped his country reach the semi-finals and quarter-finals of the last two global finals.
Tuchel gave his public backing to the returning star, insisting he remains a crucial part of his plans and has built up plenty of credit in the bank.
“It was a difficult period when I said that [about retiring] and I hope I don’t get to that again,” Stones told BBC Sport.
“And I really had to dig deep and I am proud of myself for being so mentally strong throughout and coming out the other end of those scenarios or situations.”
Ending a difficult club chapter
The ball-playing defender announced in April that he will depart the Etihad Stadium this summer after struggling for consistent match fitness.
A severe thigh issue kept him sidelined for two months, while a separate calf injury forced him out of the recent international friendlies.
However, the soon-to-be free agent insisted he has been largely fit throughout the campaign and felt pure elation upon receiving his international call-up.
“When I got the call off of the manager, I think he saw the kid inside of me, how I reacted where I couldn’t really control myself,” he added.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has expressed his profound relief after firing Norway to the 2026 World Cup, ending his country’s 28-year absence from international football’s biggest stage.
The prolific forward secured his nation’s spot with a remarkable 16 goals in just eight UEFA qualifying matches, culminating in a dramatic 4-1 victory over Italy in Milan.
Despite accumulating a vast collection of domestic and European honours, the lack of major international tournament football had remained a glaring omission in his glittering career.
Carrying the weight of a nation
“It felt missing in 2022 in Qatar and also in the Euros in 2024, so now it finally happened, and it was about time.”
“It was a lot of pressure; I could feel it ever since I started with the national team, the pressure to get to a World Cup.”
The Norwegian talisman admitted that expectations upon his shoulders had steadily increased during successive failed qualification campaigns.
Inspiring a new generation
Norway have not featured at a World Cup since 1998, meaning an entire generation of supporters has never witnessed their national team compete on the global stage.
Operating alongside Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard and Atlético Madrid attacker Alexander Sørloth, the former Borussia Dortmund star is determined to forge lasting memories for those fans.
“I never experienced Norway being at a World Cup in my lifetime.”
“I’m just happy now that we qualified, and all the young Norwegian kids can experience how it is to have their country there.”
The 24-year-old vividly recalls watching iconic moments from previous tournaments, such as James Rodríguez’s spectacular exploits for Colombia in 2014, and now aspires to emulate that widespread impact.
“I want to create something special there together with the whole nation, and hopefully we can make that happen.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel faces ultimate pressure to justify his appointment by delivering tournament glory as the team plays Croatia in their World Cup Group L opener in Dallas on Wednesday.
The German tactician was appointed by the Football Association with the sole objective of ending the nation’s 60-year wait for men’s international silverware.
Despite recently signing a contract extension before the tournament began, the former Chelsea boss has no margin for error in the United States.
Expectations remain exceptionally high for the Three Lions following a prolonged period of consistency under previous manager Gareth Southgate.
Building on Southgate’s foundations
Southgate guided the national team to two consecutive European Championship finals alongside deep runs in back-to-back World Cups.
However, the 54-year-old ultimately fell short in crucial moments, notably losing to Wednesday’s opponents Croatia in the 2018 semi-finals.
England also suffered a painful quarter-final exit against France in 2022 when captain Harry Kane missed a decisive late penalty.
Tuchel has been specifically tasked with navigating these high-pressure scenarios that have historically proved costly for the team.
Dismissing the doubters in Dallas
Critics have pointed to potential struggles with the intense North American climate and a perceived over-reliance on their record goalscorer.
However, tournament history heavily favours European nations, who have claimed four of the last five global titles.
The current squad also brings immense defensive stability into the competition following a flawless qualifying campaign.
The European heavyweights secured their place at the tournament by winning all eight qualifying matches without conceding a single goal.
World-class talent available
While some pundits continue to question the overall depth of the squad, the starting line-up possesses undeniable elite quality.
Midfield dynamo Declan Rice and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham would command starting roles for almost any team in world football.
Furthermore, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins provides a proven, high-calibre attacking alternative if their Bayern Munich talisman requires rest.
The stage is now set for Tuchel to prove his tactical pedigree and overcome the immense expectations placed upon his shoulders.
Premier League champions Arsenal have made a new left winger their primary transfer target this summer as manager Mikel Arteta seeks ambitious squad improvements.
The club’s hierarchy are currently focused on securing a new long-term contract for their Spanish manager, whose current deal expires next year.
Arsenal executives are confident an agreement will be reached that could potentially double his current salary.
Following their recent Champions League final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain, the 42-year-old has publicly urged the board to act aggressively in the market.
Search for attacking reinforcements
Sporting director Andrea Berta has identified the left side of the attack as the crucial area needing a significant upgrade.
Current wide options Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both endured lengthy goalscoring droughts during the title-winning campaign.
Aston Villa standout Morgan Rogers has emerged as a prime candidate for the north London club.
However, the West Midlands side will reportedly demand a fee exceeding £100m to part with their highly coveted forward.
Alternative targets and tactical flexibility
Bournemouth sensation Eli Junior Kroupi is also highly appreciated by the Gunners’ recruitment team after a stellar debut season in England.
The South Coast outfit remain firmly opposed to a sale and have told the Frenchman he would benefit from remaining at the Vitality Stadium.
A significantly cheaper alternative is Club Brugge attacker Christos Tzolis, who is currently valued at approximately £35m.
The Greek international is reportedly eager to make the switch, and his arrival would not prevent the club from pursuing a marquee addition elsewhere.
Monitoring defensive and midfield depth
Beyond the attacking lines, the reigning English champions are actively scouting the market for a central midfielder to dictate play.
Berta is equally open to signing a versatile full-back capable of operating on both flanks due to recurring injury issues in the defensive ranks.
Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola remains a player of interest as contract talks stall in the French capital.
A renewed move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez appears highly unlikely, with Barcelona currently leading the race for the Argentine.
United States infectious disease experts have confirmed the country is prepared to handle potential Ebola cases during the 2026 World Cup following a significant outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Public health officials acknowledge that while the threat remains low, the risk is not entirely absent with an estimated 6.5 million fans expected to travel across North America for the tournament.
The ongoing health crisis in the central African nation has already infected more than 675 individuals and claimed over 135 lives.
Lessons learned from past outbreaks
America’s current medical readiness marks a drastic shift from a decade ago when a Liberian man was initially turned away from a Dallas hospital during the 2014 West African outbreak.
That critical incident ultimately spurred a $260m investment into national response capabilities, leading to the establishment of 13 specialised treatment centres.
These advanced facilities ensure local healthcare providers can effectively identify, isolate and safely care for any suspected patients.
“We’re not going to be able to prevent 100% of infections, but we certainly are the most prepared that we have ever been.”
Dr Gavin Harris, Emory University
More probable threats identified
The 39-day football festival will be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada, requiring extensive logistical planning for a spectrum of infectious disease threats.
Global authorities, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), currently categorise the hemorrhagic fever risk as low for host nations.
Medical agencies have instead identified measles, Covid-19 and influenza as significantly more probable challenges during large crowd gatherings.
“The risk of Ebola to anyone at the World Cup is extremely low. Ebola isn’t airborne and doesn’t spread through casual contact – it requires direct contact with the body fluids of someone who is ill.”
Dr Tom Frieden, former CDC director
However, the former agency chief warned that the danger level will not reach absolute zero until the outbreak is stopped at its source in the DRC.
Collaborative medical network
The robust domestic preparedness programme was initiated in 2015 as a direct collaborative partnership between several leading medical institutions.
Facilities including the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Bellevue in New York City were at the forefront of caring for patients during the historical West African emergency.
This coalition now bears a duty to train other regional hospitals to recognise potential patients who might present symptoms during the upcoming sporting showpiece.
Real Madrid have ended their pursuit of Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori after completing a £51.7m deal for Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella.
The Spanish giants had previously identified the Italian international as a primary target for manager Jose Mourinho’s defensive rebuild at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, a transfer is now virtually impossible following the confirmed arrival of the Spanish left-back from Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal hold firm on defender
The Gunners never harboured any intentions of offloading their versatile centre-back during the current transfer window.
The 24-year-old remains securely tied to the north London club with three years left on his contract, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side under no pressure to sell.
Los Blancos have instead secured their alternative target, agreeing an initial £47.4m fee with approximately £4.3m in add-ons to sign the Blues defender.
Persistent fitness struggles
While retaining the defender undoubtedly bolsters squad depth at the Emirates, his physical availability has remained a consistent source of frustration.
The former Bologna man has been absent from 44 matchday squads across nine separate injury spells for both club and country since arriving in 2024.
Arteta previously confirmed the player picked up a fresh problem following the final day of the domestic season against Crystal Palace.
That specific fitness issue ultimately ruled the talented left-sided specialist out of contention for the UEFA Champions League final.
Nottingham Forest have rejected a £120m bid from Manchester City for Elliot Anderson, demanding a British record fee of £130m for the England midfielder.
The Premier League champions could now walk away from negotiations if the financial package becomes too exorbitant.
Fellow suitors Manchester United have already cooled their interest due to the staggering numbers involved.
Rival clubs fear market inflation
A potential £130m move to the Etihad Stadium has sparked widespread concern among top-flight rivals regarding rapid market inflation.
There is a growing anxiety that such an astronomical fee will create a disruptive knock-on effect across the domestic transfer landscape.
The 23-year-old was signed by the East Midlands outfit from Newcastle United for just £15m in 2024.
Despite the enormous valuation, he boasts only eight international caps and has yet to make a single appearance in the Champions League.
Knock-on effects for Villa and Rogers
Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of Morgan Rogers could be immediately impacted by the swelling valuation at the City Ground.
Industry insiders believe Aston Villa will significantly raise their asking price for their own 23-year-old prospect in response to the benchmark being set.
The talented playmaker has a substantially richer pedigree, including a Champions League hat-trick, a Europa League winner’s medal, and 13 international caps.
The West Midlands club are reluctant to sell, but potential UEFA financial compliance issues could force a massive departure.
A summer of record spending
The highly-rated international is currently in the United States preparing for his nation’s World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday.
If a deal is struck at the £130m valuation, it would surpass the current British transfer record established by Alexander Isak’s £125m move to Liverpool last summer.
Transfer fees continue to skyrocket across the division, with Premier League clubs spending a combined £3.087bn during the previous summer window.
Premier League and European clubs are preparing for a frantic summer of spending as the 2026 transfer window opens on Monday, with high-profile stars like Mike Maignan and Emiliano Martinez potentially available.
The English top-flight market officially opens for business, sparking a potential flurry of multimillion-pound deals across the continent.
European leagues will follow suit on July 1, but domestic sides are already actively identifying realistically attainable targets.
Maignan and Martinez top goalkeeper wishlist
AC Milan’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League has cast significant doubt over Maignan’s future at San Siro.
The French shot-stopper only signed a contract extension in January, but a lucrative bid could force the Italian giants to negotiate.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa’s well-documented financial constraints mean they may entertain offers for their established number one.
The 2022 World Cup winner nearly departed Villa Park last summer before a proposed switch to Manchester United ultimately collapsed.
Trafford seeks exit as Chevalier struggles
James Trafford finds himself in a difficult position at Manchester City after Gianluigi Donnarumma’s unexpected arrival blocked his path to the starting line-up.
The 23-year-old Englishman is widely considered ready for regular first-team football and represents a premium prize for top-tier suitors.
Elsewhere, Lucas Chevalier is already seeking an escape route from Paris St-Germain following a disastrous debut campaign.
The young Frenchman moved to the capital from Lille for an initial €40m (£34m) but has surprisingly failed to establish himself.
Diogo Costa also remains a highly sought-after commodity, with the Porto custodian tipped to finally leave Portugal if he impresses on the international stage this summer.
Schlotterbeck available for the right price
In defence, Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck has emerged as a prime candidate for sides seeking elite centre-back reinforcements.
The Germany international recently agreed fresh terms to extend his stay at the Westfalenstadion.
“There is a release clause in the €50m-€60m range for the right club,” reports German outlet Bild.
With several heavyweight clubs scouring the market for defensive solidity, the 26-year-old is expected to attract significant interest in the coming weeks.