Full expected England World Cup squad as Toney returns but Foden axed | Football | Sport
Toney was an important figure as England reached the Euro 2024 final this summer (Image: Getty Images)
Ivan Toney has received a stunning World Cup call-up. England manager Thomas Tuchel will name Toney in his 26-man squad when he announces it on Friday. The 30-year-old has spent the past 12 months in the international wilderness but has netted an impressive 42 goals in 37 appearances for Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.
On May 11, Tuchel was weighing up a return for the former Brentford striker, and he will earn his place amid some significant omissions. Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Harry Maguire have all been dropped, while Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke, Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo are all expected to make the cut.
Watkins had been left out of England’s previous squad in March, but the Aston Villa frontman has earned his recall through exceptional form, which included a starring role in the Europa League final victory.
Foden misses out due to limited game time at Manchester City, while Palmer has also been overlooked following a difficult season plagued by poor form and fitness concerns.
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Luke Shaw is absent, and his Manchester United team-mate Maguire has also been ruthlessly discarded by Tuchel, a decision that could well signal the end of his international career.
Maguire, 33, enjoyed a superb second half of the season and harboured hopes of making the squad, despite Tuchel making clear in March that he was effectively sixth choice centre-half, behind the likes of Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa and John Stones.
Ollie Watkins is back in the England squad too. (Image: Getty Images)
Maguire released a statement, saying: “I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had. I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I wish the players all the best.”
Tuchel will announce his squad of 26 players on Friday, with the group set to depart for Florida on June 1, though Arsenal‘s contingent will join their team-mates later that week.
England kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17.
England (possible): Pickford, Henderson, Trafford
James, Quansah, Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly, Burn, Lewis-Skelly
Rice, Anderson, Mainoo, Henderson, Rogers, Eze, Bellingham
Saka, Madueke, Rashford, Gordon
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