John Stones vows not to hang up his England boots after World Cup despite being without a club after Man City exit

JOHN STONES has no plans to quit playing for England. And the defender opened up on the “anger and frustration” the players feel after their heartbreaking defeat by Argentina. John Stones has no plans to retire from international football Credit: CameraSport via Getty Images The England centre-half confirmed he does not plan to “stop anytime soon” Credit: Anadolu via Getty Images Asked if he planned to carry on being available for the Three Lions, free agent Stones, 32, replied: “[No plans] to stop anytime soon.” On the semi-final exit, he added: “I’m in a state of all emotions, really. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! “It’s very easy to say ‘what if’ and what we could have done. “It’s a tough thing to get over and digest straight away. That’s the cruel position we’re in right now.” READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP Stones is one of a few in the England squad — along with Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford — to have lost two World Cup semi-finals and two Euros finals. Asked what the mood has been like in the camp since the Argentina loss, Stones said: “Still going through it, to be honest — of suffering, pain, a lot of emotions that are very natural to everyone. “As players, we can get quite fixated on anger or frustration from personal situations throughout that game. I think everyone felt that [we could win it]. “That’s why to go out in a semi-final hurts even more — because we believed so much and didn’t get to where we believe we should be.” Most read in Sport WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS England take on France tonight in the World Cup third-place play-off seeking a pride-restoring win. Defeating Les Bleus would seal the Three Lions’ highest tournament finish since their 1966 glory. And following the game, Stones will return home as a free agent after leaving Manchester City at the end of a ten-year spell. Comment now