Thomas Tuchel has to submit his 55-man long list for the World Cup.
Ivan Toney could be the surprise wildcard to be included.
Striker Dilemma for England Boss
England boss Tuchel faces a big dilemma over his strike force with the feeling that he will end up taking three out-and-out strikers.
Harry Kane is clearly stitched-on as first choice.
In March, England tried out Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke and neither really grasped the opportunity.
That may open the door for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins who has been in terrific form since being left out for the friendlies with Japan and Uruguay.
Tottenham striker Solanke will also miss out through injury, Brighton’s Danny Welbeck may make the 55 on the basis that covers a lot of players and options.
Toney’s Potential Return
Toney has not featured for England since June 2025 and has drifted from the picture since his move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.
Toney could be the surprise choice based on the fact he went to the last Euros, scored in a shoot-out and could be the “other” centre forward complementing Kane while Watkins is the front runner.
He was picked last June but his last run-out was as an 88th-minute substitute against Senegal in a 3-1 defeat in a friendly at the City Ground.
Quietly, Toney has scored 40 goals in 46 games in Saudi and, while it may be hard to judge, it might have put him back in the frame.
Squad Size and Options
There is an age-old debate about how many strikers to take in a squad.
When it was 23 players, you were looking at two strikers with the possibility of one of the wide players being versatile.
It will be 26 this summer so you can surely take three and what are the options?
Liam Delap? No. Calvert-Lewin? Probably not.
If Welbeck was a shout surely he would have been in for March.
At least Tuchel knows Toney and that is why amid the raft of names, a striker who is in form, scoring penalties without even looking and has gone to a tournament before should be under consideration.
Key Dates
- The Football Association has to submit the 55-man long list by 23.59 central European time to FIFA on Monday night.
- England are set to confirm their squad next week.
- It has to be submitted to FIFA by June 1 who then publish the final squads on June 2.
The long list is not a new thing but it is procedural and is not made public unless the FAs choose to do so.
England will not but players and their clubs will have a good idea.
They will not be booking holidays.