A look at the former Barnsley players with their countries in North America
JOHN STONES, ENGLAND
THE THURLSTONE man will be hoping to make it third time lucky at a World Cup with England.
The defender was on standby for the 2014 tournament in Brazil then had a breakthrough four years later in Russia but could not track Mario Mandžukicć for Croatia’s winning goal in the semi-final, then saw Harry Kane miss a penalty in the loss to France in the 2022 quarter-final in Qatar.
As well as two Euros final defeats, Stones has had plenty of disappointments in his 89-cap international career alongside his all-conquering spell with Manchester City who he has just left after winning 15 major trophies across a decade. But he has also been part of an England team that has progressed further consistently in tournaments than any in the previous half-century.
Stones, who turned 32 last week and began his career with Barnsley, is likely to play his final his World Cup this summer but may still be targeting Euro 2028 which will be played in the UK and Ireland.
Stones’ former Barnsley team-mate Bobby Hassell, now academy manager at Oakwell, said: “It’s great for him again and the town and the community of Barnsley.
“Every young player should idolise John and think: ‘if he can do it, I can’.
“That’s always the message we give players during inductions.
“John was not an England level player when he was with us but he’s had an unbelievable career.
“I am really happy for him because he’s a great kid.
“It will definitely be his last World Cup but possibly not his last major tournament.
“He’s obviously been ravaged by injuries this season but at least he will go in fresh and he’d been back fit a while at City. He’s not had the robust season he’s had in previous years.
“He will be one of the most experienced players.
“I still see him as the best centre half in England when he’s fit. I am hoping he plays regularly.
“He’s won everything he could have won except something with England and I would love to him do it for himself and the country.”
IVAN TONEY, ENGLAND
A decade ago, the Reds did not re-sign the striker after he played a bit-part role in their promotion from League One, scoring twice in 20 appearances after signing as a teenager on loan from Newcastle United.
He remained in League One for four more seasons before his prolific form with Peterborough earned a move to Premier League Brentford for whom he netted 67 goals across four campaigns, including a lengthy ban for betting offences. He moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli for a reported £40million and has scored almost a goal per game. He was a surprise call-up for this World Cup, having not been in an England squad for a year, but is thought to have been valued for his penalty-taking ability which he displayed in the last Euros. The 30-year-old has eight caps and one goal.
OWEN GOODMAN, CANADA
The goalkeeper has been included in the squad of host nation Canada after playing 22 games on loan to the Reds from Crystal Palace.
Goodman, who was born in the UK but spent much of his childhood in Canada, is yet to make his international debut and is expected to be third choice.
After excelling on loan to Wimbledon in the previous season, the 22-year-old had a tough time at Huddersfield in late 2025 so was sent back before being given another chance in League One by the Reds.
When he arrived at Oakwell, Goodman told the Chronicle: “I needed to play this season, with the World Cup coming up. I really want to be a part of that brilliant squad and I really want to be at the World Cup. They are dreams and aspirations I have had since I was a kid.
“I am so grateful and blessed I have been given the opportunity by Barnsley to play football.”
Canada are in a group with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland.
CHRIS WOOD, NEW ZEALAND
The striker had a brief loan with the Reds from West Brom in 2010 when he was just 18.
He had just been to his first World Cup earlier that summer when he joined Mark Robins’ squad but the loan did not go well.
Wood failed to score in four starts and three substitute appearances, with Barnsley as a team only netting two goals in those seven games and taking just one point. The loan was terminated by mutual consent.
His final game saw him and Paul Hayes substituted after 30 minutes in a 2-0 loss at home to Leicester City who he would go on to play for before joining Leeds United where he became a prolific Championship striker.
Wood has been a Premier League player since 2017, netting 92 goals at that level for Burnley, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest having been sold for £15million twice and £25million once.
He has 45 goals in 90 games for New Zealand, the most ever for that country and he played for them against England on Saturday.
Former Reds team-mate Bobby Hassell said: “Chris came to us and struggled as a teenager playing in the Championship. But he has developed and got the best out of his career and done fantastically well.
“People like him, Kieran Trippier and Jay Rodriguez, who all played at Barnsley on loan, I wouldn’t have said they would be top Premier League players. But the common denominator is they are unbelievable people – so humble, hard-working and wanting to improve.
“They all had winning mentalities as well.”
