Ivan Toney has earned a shock recall to the England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Toney’s recall comes after he wasn’t included in any of Thomas Tuchel’s selections throughout this season, but has now been included in the squad after he scored 37 goals and contributed 10 assists in 45 appearances for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli across the campaign.
Toney is joined in the forward selection by Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Ollie Watkins.
Tuchel however has boldly left Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer out after underwhelming seasons, whilst Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Danny Welbeck have been snubbed despite their form and Dominic Solanke is absent following an injury-hit campaign.
Tuchel has selected Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford and James Trafford as his goalkeepers for the tournament, with Aaron Ramsdale and Jason Steele dropped after the pair had been included in the squad for March’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
Arsenal’s Premier League title winner, Declan Rice spearheads the midfield selection alongside Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo.
Elliott Anderson and Morgan Rogers are going to their first major senior international tournament after impressive seasons for Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, with Rogers having recently scored the third goal in Aston Villa’s Europa League title victory over SC Freiburg in the Final.
Eberechi Eze is back in the squad after he missed March’s international action due to injury, with Morgan Gibbs-White left out despite an impressive season for Forest in which he scored 17 goals and created seven assists in 54 appearances across all competitions.
Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton has been snubbed whilst Everton’s James Garner missed out on a call-up despite having impressed in his first call-up in March, which saw him named Player of the Match against Uruguay.
Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood and Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have also been omitted despite their recent impressive form for their clubs.
Rogers’ Villa teammates, Ezri Konsa and Watkins are also included in the squad in defence and forward positions respectively.
Konsa is joined in defence by Marc Guehi, Reece James and John Stones as the previous members of that section with major senior international tournament experience, as Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah and Djed Spence make their major senior tournament debuts.
Harry Maguire and Lewis Hall are the high-profile absentees in defence, whilst Fikayo Tomori has too missed out on a place in the defensive selection.
England will prepare for the World Cup with friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica on 6 and 10 June in Tampa and Orlando, Florida, USA, with kick-offs confirmed for 21:00pm UK Time live on ITV1 and ITVX for UK-based viewers.
Tuchel’s Three Lions then open their World Cup campaign in Group L against Croatia on Wednesday 17 June before they face Ghana on Tuesday 23 June, with both matches taking place at 21:00pm UK Time on ITV1 then BBC1 respectively.
England conclude their group campaign against Panama on Saturday 28 June at 22:00pm UK Time, with live coverage of that match available on ITV1 and ITVX.
Here is England’s 26-man squad in full below.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City),
Defence: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City)
Midfield: Elliott Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa),
Forward: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona – on loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
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