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‘Everyone’s pumped up’: John Stones on the mentality helping England chase World Cup dream

<p>The long-serving centre-back came off the bench to help 10-man England preserve their lead against Mexico, and feels the entire squad is laser-focused on reaching the final</p><p>John Stones had to know the question was coming. With Mexico vanquished after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/06/england-azteca-mexico-world-cup">one of the great England nights</a>, the focus had turned in part to the quarter‑final against Norway in Miami on Saturday and some bloke up front with a ponytail. Stones <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/06/erling-haaland-one-of-the-sickest-days-norway-history-beating-brazil-world-cup">knows Erling Haaland</a>, having spent the past four seasons with him at Manchester City, but this was not a time for him to engage on the nitty-gritty of how to stop him.</p><p>At one point, as Stones spoke at the Azteca stadium <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/06/england-mexico-match-report-jude-bellingham-harry-kane-world-cup">after England’s epic 3-2 win on Sunday</a>, he claimed to have only just been told what side his team play next. Come on, John. Norway <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/05/brazil-norway-world-cup-2026-last-16-match-report">beat Brazil to advance</a> well before England stepped out against Mexico. In many respects, it was classic laid‑back Stones, living only in the moment. The central defender did, of course, talk of his respect for Haaland and Norway.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/06/john-stones-england-thomas-tuchel-world-cup-dream">Continue reading...</a>