Stones fakes shoulder injury to prank Tuchel during England's World Cup celebrations

John Stones pulled off a convincing fake injury on England manager Thomas Tuchel during the squad’s celebrations following their 3-2 World Cup victory over Mexico, a win that secured England’s place in the quarter-finals.

Footage shared on social media showed the Manchester City defender limping toward Tuchel and clutching his shoulder, with Declan Rice visibly concerned alongside the manager. Stones then abruptly dropped the act and launched into a dance with his teammates, the reveal drawing laughter from Tuchel.

The clip spread quickly across social media platforms, offering a candid look at the mood inside the England camp after a hard-fought result against Mexico. The 3-2 scoreline had been enough to advance England to the last eight, and the behind-the-scenes footage captured the relief and high spirits that followed.

Stones, a key figure in England’s defensive setup under Tuchel, appeared in good health despite the theatrical performance — much to the relief of supporters who had been momentarily alarmed by the early reports of the clip’s content.