John Stones and Harry Kane have become the first England internationals to go through a change of Prime Minister during a major international tournament for a third time. This unique record was set on 22 June, with Keir Starmer's resignation as UK PM and leader of the Labour Party.
What happened?
The UK's political chaos led to this record, with Britain preparing for its seventh Prime Minister in 10 years. This means John Stones and Harry Kane will experience a new Prime Minister during the 2026 World Cup.
Why it matters for John Stones
John Stones was part of the England squad for the 2016 Euros, 2024 Euros, and the ongoing 2026 World Cup. His teammate Harry Kane was also part of these squads, making them the first England players to break this record.
What comes next?
A contest to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister will take place, with Andy Burnham looking to be the top contender. This change will occur while the 2026 World Cup is ongoing, adding to the record set by John Stones and Harry Kane.
The Times journalist John Peck pointed out this unique statistic on X. However, his claim that the record also included Jordan Henderson was shut down by fans, who remembered that Henderson wasn’t part of the 2024 Euros squad.
On 22 June, Keir Starmer announced his resignation, stating that every decision he made was about putting the country first. This resignation led to the record being set by John Stones and Harry Kane.
In July 2016, David Cameron resigned after the Brexit referendum and was replaced by Theresa May during the 2016 Euros. Then, in July 2024, Rishi Sunak was replaced by Keir Starmer following the UK general election, which took place during the 2024 Euros.
The record set by John Stones and Harry Kane is a result of the UK's political chaos, with the country experiencing a high level of turnover in its Prime Ministers. This unique record will be remembered as a part of England's football history.
John Stones and Harry Kane's record is not just a statistic, but a reflection of the UK's current political situation. The change in Prime Ministers during major tournaments has become a regular occurrence, with John Stones and Harry Kane being the first players to experience it three times.
The 2026 World Cup is ongoing, and the record set by John Stones and Harry Kane will be a talking point among football fans. The unique statistic has been shared on social media, with fans reacting to the news and sharing their thoughts on the record.
On social media, one X user joked that England players are collecting Prime Ministers like tournament stickers. Another user wrote that the PMs keep stepping down so they don’t have to go into work the next day after a late England game.
The record set by John Stones and Harry Kane is a reminder of the UK's political chaos and its impact on the country's football team. The unique statistic will be remembered for years to come, and it will be interesting to see if any other players will break this record in the future.