World Cup 2026: England team news – Stones set to start against Norway

Marc Guehi has won the fitness challenge and is expected to start England’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway alongside the recalled John Stones in defence.

Manchester City defender Guehi suffered a minor hamstring strain in the win over Mexico and has missed training this week.

However, he is expected to continue to be at the heart of England’s defence.

Stones, who will be recalled to the starting eleven for the first time since the opening match against Croatia, is expected to play alongside him in defence.

Ezri Konsa is planned to move from centre-back to right-back.

Declan Rice is ready to start despite an illness issue that has prevented him from participating in match preparations, while Noni Madueke is expected to play ahead of Bukayo Saka in another change to the XI.

Reece James, who trained this week after his knee injury, is expected to be on the bench along with his full-back Djed Spence.

The selection of Stones and Guehi means that, from last season, Manchester City’s central defense will compete with his team-mate at the club, Erling Haaland, who has scored seven goals in the World Cup, one more than Harry Kane. Stones left City after his contract expired earlier this month.

Stones, 32, has been a substitute in all of England’s matches since Croatia. However, he played an important role against Mexico, coming on for Saka in the 57th minute after Jarell Quansah’s red card.

While the reasons for Madueke’s expected selection are unknown, Saka could not manage the tournament due to the Achilles tendinitis problem he has had since March.

This week the Arsenal winger said he would have loved to come into the tournament 100% fit but said he had been managed “in the best way possible” and felt “great and ready to go”.

Expected England Team: Pickford, Konsa, Guehi, Stones, O’Reilly, Anderson, Rice, Madueke, Gordon, Bellingham, Kane.