Ivan Toney Gets Another England Shot
After months of speculation, Ivan Toney is back in England's frame. Thomas Tuchel decided to recall the much-debated striker for June's crucial World Cup qualifier against Andorra and an upcoming friendly with Senegal. This call-up isn’t just another squad shuffle—Toney’s return follows a streak that’s hard to ignore: netting 29 goals in just 43 appearances for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League and playing a lead role in their Asian Champions League victory. You probably remember Toney from his Brentford days, but his powerful scoring in Saudi Arabia has put him firmly back on the radar for England’s top spot.
This recall is Toney’s first England nod since Euro 2024, marking a bit of a comeback trail. When pressed, Tuchel stressed that he wants to examine Toney’s "personality and quality up close," which feels like a direct response to critics skeptical of players making an impact outside the Premier League spotlight. Watching Toney bulldoze defenses in Asia, Tuchel clearly saw enough to bring him straight back into the fold, controversy and all.
Tuchel’s England Faces Big Changes and Bigger Questions
England is cruising at the top of Group K in UEFA’s World Cup qualifiers, thanks to solid wins over Albania and Latvia since Tuchel’s takeover. But the squad sheet for June looks very different. Two key attackers—Marcus Rashford (hamstring) and Phil Foden (ankle)—are sidelined with injuries, forcing Tuchel to shuffle his options. For fans and soccer pundits alike, Toney’s selection is more than a simple replacement; it signals Tuchel’s willingness to roll the dice, especially when most of England's recent call-ups come straight from Premier League experience.
The matches against Andorra, scheduled for June 10, and Senegal on June 17, are about more than three points or international friendlies. They’re dry runs for Tuchel’s evolving squad ahead of 2026, when the World Cup lands in North America. The manager isn’t sugarcoating the challenge ahead. He’s already warned his players about the tough heat conditions they’ll face on that side of the Atlantic. Everyone on the plane to June’s games will know: these tests matter, not just for now, but in toughening up before 2026.
The wider football community has mixed feelings about calling up Toney straight out of Saudi Arabia instead of a Premier League contender. But watching Tuchel operate, it’s clear he’s betting that form counts for more than zip code. The real question? Whether Toney can carry his club level heroics onto the international scene. These next games will offer the answer—and possibly shake up England’s attack before the World Cup adventure really starts.
- Ivan Toney returns to the England squad after dominating in Saudi Arabia
- England leads their World Cup qualifying group under Tuchel
- Rashford and Foden out, creating big gaps in attack
- Upcoming matches double as talent tests for the road to 2026
