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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Hytner

Tuchel had to ‘clear the air’ with Ivan Toney before World Cup wildcard choice

Ivan Toney reacts after Senegal score their third goal in a friendly in June 2025
Ivan Toney reacts after Senegal score their third goal in a friendly in June 2025. Thomas Tuchel was not impressed with the forward in that England camp. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images/Reuters

Thomas Tuchel made Ivan Toney the wildcard selection of his World Cup squad after holding clear-the-air talks with him over his attitude. The England head coach also considered how Harry Kane likes to play alongside Toney before making the Al-Ahli striker the most eye-catching inclusion of his 26-man party for the tournament.

Tuchel’s squad announcement at Wembley was dominated as ever by the players he overlooked – chiefly Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire. Tuchel said Palmer had “just failed” to produce consistently this season, while he admitted he no longer knew Foden’s best position.

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