Ivan Toney knows his role in England’s squad. The Al-Ahli striker is fully aware that he sits behind Harry Kane and probably Ollie Watkins in the pecking order, but he is prepared to make an impact from the bench when called upon. Toney, 30, is one of manager Thomas Tuchel’s finishers, a player to bring chaos in the box and convert penalties if needed.
Clearing the air with Tuchel
Toney did not get off to the best start with Tuchel. The German coach first selected him in June 2025 for a training camp and friendlies, but felt his commitment was not up to standard. Toney was only used as an 88th-minute substitute against Senegal, which frustrated him. However, after Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke failed to impress in March, Tuchel reconsidered. With strong recommendations from assistant Justin Cochrane and Al-Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle, Tuchel decided to clear the air with Toney.
“It wasn’t really an apologising situation on both sides,” Toney said. “Because he doesn’t really know me as a person, it was more just speaking, diving in deeper on what I’m about and what he’s about. He got good feedback on myself from other players and other people who are not in football. I think he’s starting to see the real me.” Toney added, “We’re on the same path now and things are sorted.”
Ready for a specific role
Tuchel has been open with Toney about his role. “He told me what my role would be, which is better because going into a tournament not knowing where you stand is going to be frustrating,” Toney said. “He said he wanted me and if the coach tells you that, it’s on the player to take a decision. Of course I wanted this.” Toney embraces being a squad player: “I understand I am not going to play as many minutes as I want but I’m still happy and bubbly, training well.”
Toney’s impact off the bench was crucial at Euro 2024. In the last-16 tie against Slovakia, he was introduced in the fourth minute of stoppage time with England trailing 1-0. He occupied defenders on a long throw-in, creating space for Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick equaliser. In extra time, Toney assisted Kane’s winning header. He also scored a penalty in the shootout against Switzerland, executing his trademark no-look conversion.
Goals galore at Al-Ahli
Toney’s form for Al-Ahli has been exceptional. Since moving from Brentford in August 2024, he scored 30 goals in 44 appearances in his first season, and 42 in 49 in the season just gone. He helped the club win the Asian Champions League in both seasons. Despite this, Toney says there have been “some swings and roundabouts.” But he always believed the World Cup call would come.
“I like to think I bring more than just penalties,” Toney said. “But if I’m just to come on for one minute to take a penalty, I’d never turn that down. I’m here to help the team. Football changes very fast and we saw that at the Euros. I got one minute [at the end of stoppage-time against Slovakia] … I’m down and frustrated. And then we score and progress. Nobody can think the game is done. You just have to be ready for when you’re called upon.”
Family and focus
After England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana, Toney’s young son asked why he wasn’t playing. “My son is saying: ‘Ah, why have I travelled all this way and you’re not playing?’” Toney recalled. “It’s hard to respond to that. It’s like: ‘Daddy is waiting …’” The boy then brushed Toney aside to see Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. Toney laughed: “I miss you too, boy!”
Toney showed his readiness in behind-closed-doors training matches in Florida, scoring a hat-trick in each. When asked to describe one goal, he smiled: “Well, one was an overhead kick …” He is primed to burst from the shadows for England at the World Cup.
