John Stones pulls prank on Tuchel during England celebrations
John Stones and Declan Rice shocked Thomas Tuchel with a surprise prank on 7 July 2026, right after England’s victory celebrations. The centre‑back slipped a fake injury report into the coach’s phone, prompting a brief panic before the joke was revealed. The moment was captured on stadium cameras and quickly went viral.
During the after‑match ceremony at Wembley, Stones slipped a text that read “Stones injured-will miss next game” into Tuchel’s phone. Rice, standing nearby, pretended to be shocked and called the medical team. Tuchel, unaware, rushed to the sidelines, only to discover the message was a hoax. The trio laughed, and the incident was streamed live on the stadium’s big screen.
The prank featured three key figures: John Stones, Manchester City defender; Declan Rice, West Ham United midfielder; and Thomas Tuchel, England’s head coach. Both Stones and Rice are senior England squad members, while Tuchel was appointed earlier in the year after a string of strong performances with the national side. Their camaraderie was evident, and the joke highlighted the relaxed atmosphere after England’s 2‑0 win over Spain.
Stones’ involvement shows his leadership off the pitch as well as on it. By joining the prank, he reinforced his reputation as a team‑spirit catalyst, a trait that often translates into on‑field composure. The episode also gave fans a glimpse of his personality beyond the defensive duties he performs for Manchester City and England.
The clip has already amassed millions of views on social platforms, with fans demanding more light‑hearted moments from the squad. Stones and Rice are expected to feature in upcoming promotional videos for the England kit launch later this month. Meanwhile, Tuchel has hinted he’ll keep a closer eye on his phone during future celebrations.
The prank may be a fleeting joke, but it adds a memorable footnote to England’s summer campaign. As the team prepares for the Euro 2028 qualifiers, the chemistry displayed by Stones, Rice and Tuchel could prove as valuable as any tactical adjustment.