Ivan Toney's World Cup Dream: England Star in Saudi Arabia Aims for Glory
England striker Ivan Toney is refusing to give up on his World Cup dream, aiming to force his way into Thomas Tuchel's squad for the 2026 tournament. The 29-year-old Al Ahli forward is in formidable form in the Saudi Pro League, netting 20 goals this season—two more than Cristiano Ronaldo—as he shines in the Middle East.
Euro 2024 Runner-Up Eyes World Cup Success
Toney, who last earned an England cap against Senegal in June 2025 and was part of the Euro 2024 runners-up squad, spoke to Sky Sports News about his aspirations for the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. "It would be a dream to play there. Everybody dreams of that, and imagine if we were to win the World Cup? That would be for the country," he said.
"You have these little visions of what could happen, these kind of things. If it was to come true, it would be a big blessing." Acknowledging Bayern Munich's Harry Kane as "the best finisher in football," Toney hopes to provide crucial back-up and affirmed his commitment: "My job is to keep scoring goals and hopefully that gives me the best chance of being there."
From Brentford to Al Ahli: A Surprising Move
His move to Al Ahli from Brentford in the summer of 2024, aged 28, had previously raised eyebrows, but Toney remains open to a Premier League return. "I never say never. I've goals I want to achieve here first, but in football, in life, you never know what's around the corner," he explained. "You just take it day-by-day, step-by-step. Hopefully I can achieve something big here first and who knows what the next step is?"
Toney has seven England caps in total, with his solitary goal for his country coming in a 2-2 friendly draw against Belgium in 2024. He looks set to be in a battle with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Dominic Solanke, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for a spot in Tuchel's squad for this summer's World Cup.
Form and Future Prospects
With his impressive goal-scoring record in Saudi Arabia, Toney is making a strong case for inclusion. His performance this season highlights his ability to compete at a high level, even away from the Premier League. As the World Cup approaches, his dedication and form could prove pivotal in securing a place on the plane to North America.
Thomas Tuchel may consider bringing Toney back into the fold, given his experience and current form. The striker's journey from Brentford to Al Ahli has been unconventional, but his focus remains on achieving international success with England.
