John Stones is without a club at the 2026 World Cup after his Manchester City contract expired at the end of June. The 32-year-old defender, who has 91 England caps, will be hoping to feature in the Three Lions' round of 16 clash against Mexico.
Stones' Decade at Manchester City
Stones spent ten years at City after a big-money move from Everton, arriving in the same summer as manager Pep Guardiola. He won 15 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League. However, after returning from injury last season, he found himself down the pecking order. With Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov forming a reliable partnership, and Nathan Ake selected ahead of him for the Carabao Cup final victory, Stones announced in April he would leave at the end of the campaign.
“They say all good things must come to an end… but this thing we have had has been the greatest and it will remain a part of me forever,” Stones wrote on Instagram.
Guardiola's Comments on Fitness
Stones' decision came shortly after Guardiola commented on his fitness issues. “I don’t have doubts with John,” the manager said. “When he reaches his level, he is a top central defender. Unfortunately, I only want him fit and unfortunately, like last season, a lot of the time it is not possible.”
World Cup Selection and Future
Despite starting just five league games, including his emotional farewell on the final day, Stones was named in England's World Cup squad. Thomas Tuchel picked him ahead of club teammate Guehi for the opening victory over Croatia. Stones has since dropped out of the team but is pushing to start against Mexico. He did not resolve his club future before the tournament.
The start of July saw Stones and three other players officially leave City. BBC Sport reports that his old club Everton and AC Milan have been linked with signing him as a free agent. Ahead of the World Cup, Stones expressed his desire to prove Guardiola wrong: “I was fit enough 100 per cent, it comes down to various things, the manager and that’s something I can’t control… I think I feel as good as I’ve ever been before a tournament.”
Stones joins Mohamed Salah, Casemiro, and Luka Modric as World Cup stars without a club. His former City colleague Bernardo Silva recently signed for Real Madrid as a free agent.
