4 h. ago On the plane or the sofa? How England’s 2026 World Cup squad is shaping up | Jacob Steinberg

More than half the 26 places appear to be locked down but big names are at risk with qualification secured and the tournament loomingFresh from breaking Gordon Banks’s record for consecutive England clean sheets, Jordan Pickford remains the undisputed pick in goal. A miserly defensive record is a positive for Thomas Tuchel, even if the shutouts have come against poor sides. John Stones, such an elegant centre-back, is back in the team and will start at the World Cup if he stays fit. But who will partner him? Tuchel likes Ezri Konsa, whose versatility also makes him an option at right-back, and Marc Guéhi. Big Dan Burn also looks established despite making his international debut in March. It is more uncertain at left-back but Reece James will play at right-back as long as his body does not let him down. Continue reading...

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8 h. ago John Stones says England building ‘something special’ after reaching World Cup

Thomas Tuchel’s team secured their place at next summer’s World Cup with a 5-0 win over Latvia.

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3 d. ago Man City biggest England win this week came 1600 miles from Wembley

Manchester City saw John Stones play for England on Thursday night but there were other success stories elsewhere

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5 d. ago The John Stones moment that highlights Man City contract dilemma

John Stones managed 80 minutes for England against Wales on Thursday night but the Manchester City defender did suffer an injury scare.

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5 d. ago England star is undroppable for Thomas Tuchel if he hopes to win World Cup

Manchester City star John Stones has been there and done it at the highest level - and England won't be able to win a World Cup without him next summer

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5 d. ago John Stones issues timely reminder amid England and Man City hope

Manchester City defender John Stones has been an England mainstay throughout the last decade, was crucial to Gareth Southgate's side and is still the best option for Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup

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8 d. ago John Stones agony and Pep Guardiola fury leaves nervous wait for Man City fans

Manchester City defender John Stones has spoken of the comfort and pride he gets from playing for England

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8 d. ago John Stones admits he almost RETIRED earlier this year: 'I didn't want to do it'

The England international is looking for his first caps under Thomas Tuchel in the matches against Wales and Latvia, having overcome the injury issues that destroyed his 2024-25 campaign

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8 d. ago John Stones admits he considered retirement amid injury nightmares last season

Stones made just 11 Premier League appearances last season as hamstring and foot problems hindered his availability

Events

8 d. ago RFU unveils plan to boost women’s game and build on England’s World Cup win

Strategy includes back-to-back World Cup triumphsOther targets include 3 million fans and £60m in revenueThe Rugby Football Union has promised to “keep its foot on the gas” after unveiling an ambitious five-year action plan to build on the momentum of the Red Roses’ Women’s Rugby World Cup victory.The strategy, called Every Rose: Our Time, includes the goal of becoming the first England team to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups, and getting 100,000 women and girls playing the game across the country by 2030, up from the 60,000 who participate now. Continue reading...

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1 week ago ‘We’re building the best team’: Thomas Tuchel explains England camp selection after surprise omissions

The manager raised eyebrows by not recalling some of England’s biggest individual stars, instead keeping faith with the squad that impressed against Serbia last month

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2 w. ago Plan to build 12 new towns in England to be unveiled at Labour conference

Housing secretary is set to announce initiative modelled on Clement Attlee’s postwar ‘housing boom’The government is expected to announce on Sunday a programme to build 12 new towns across England in a bid to address the country’s housing crisis.The housing secretary, Steve Reed, will unveil the initiative at Labour’s annual conference as it begins in Liverpool. The prime minister, Keir Starmer, described the proposals as “national renewal in action”. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago New homes must be built in the ‘right’ areas to tackle shortages, Starmer told

A think tank says areas such as Greater Manchester and Birmingham have ‘huge productivity potential’

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2 w. ago John Stones makes decision on Manchester City future with contract set to end

The England international has been a major presence in the Manchester City side during Pep Guardiola's tenure at the Etihad Stadium, but his deal is up at the end of the season

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2 w. ago John Stones makes decision on Man City future with contract expiring next summer

Manchester City bosses to offer John Stones a two-year extension and stop him leaving the Etihad on a free transfer next summer, with the England star wanting to stay with Guardiola's side and win more trophies

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3 w. ago ‘Crumbling buildings, rat infestation and overwhelmed cells’ in Manchester courts, report reveals

"The poor state of court buildings across England and Wales is both a contributor to the huge backlog of court cases and an illustration of the woeful lack of investment in our justice system"

Events

3 w. ago I was a special guest on Hell’s Kitchen but Gordon Ramsay left me VERY surprised

BURLESQUE queen Dita Von Teese revealed she was left feeling disappointed by fiery chef Gordon Ramsay - when he failed to reach boiling point. The racy performer was a special guest on the US version of Ramsay’s hit show Hell’s Kitchen. But she was left surprised when the cook’s famous temper was firmly at a...

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3 w. ago Arsenal vs Man City LIVE early team news and how to watch heavyweight Premier League showdown

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Manchester City's Premier League showdown with Arsenal. The Blues head into the contest on the back of successive victories over Manchester United in the top flight and Napoli in their Champions League opener. But they face a tough test against the Gunners, who beat Pep Guardiola's side 5-1 at the Emirates last season. City will move level on points with the Gunners if they can secure the three points and cap a perfect week. The Blues remain without injured quartet Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Mateo Kovacic and Omar Marmoush but John Stones is expected to be in the squad having recovered from a muscle injury. Kick off is at 4.30pm and you can follow all the build-up, action, reaction and analysis with our blog below so stay with us.

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3 w. ago Arsenal vs Man City LIVE team news confirmed as Rodri starts with John Stones on bench

Manchester City are on the road at Arsenal in the Premier League this afternoon

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3 w. ago Voices: It’s a disgrace that home is a luxury the young can no longer afford

The Office for National Statistics says London prices have got so out of whack that even the top earners can’t afford to buy, and it’s not much better in the rest of England. It's time to get building, now, writes James Moore

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