Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThomas Tuchel held "clear-the-air" talks with Ivan Toney regarding his commitment in last year's June camp before recalling him for the 2026 World Cup squad. Tuchel explained that Toney's selection over Dominic Calvert-Lewin was due to his physical presence, ability to draw attention from other strikers, set-piece contributions, and penalty-taking skills. The England manager conducted thorough background checks on Toney, including sending an assistant coach to observe him and consulting his club manager. Tuchel expressed surprise and deemed Harry Maguire's public statement after being dropped from the squad as "not necessary." Tuchel contacted all 50 players previously in the camp, plus Luke Shaw, and noted that player reactions to disappointment influenced his decisions; psychologists are also monitoring team communication. In fullThomas Tuchel reveals ‘clear the air’ talks with Ivan Toney before surprise call-up to World Cup squadThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Ivan Toney will be waiting with bated breath on whether he's selected in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup

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Thomas Tuchel has made ruthless calls with his World Cup selection, finding no space for Phil Foden and Cole Palmer in England’s 26-man squad

England's squad for the World Cup will be confirmed on Friday morning but it is already becoming clear that Thomas Tuchel has made some bold calls ahead of the big kick-off

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Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for the World Cup, handing a shock call-up to Ivan Toney and picking Djed Spence over the exiled Trent Alexander-Arnold

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Thomas Tuchel has named Ivan Toney in his 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico with the Al-Ahli striker having come in from the cold

Thomas Tuchel names 26-man squad for World Cup in North America

Watch live as England coach Thomas Tuchel speaks to the media after announcing his World Cup 2026 squad on Friday (22 May).

The striker, who plays for Saudi club Al-Ahli, was a surprise inclusion in the 26-man group for this summer’s World Cup

England manager Thomas Tuchel announced that some young players who didn't make the 26-man squad for the World Cup will be involved in the team's training in the United States

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"Everything I know about international football is about cohesion and about chemistry," explained Tuchel - but what does the data say?

Thomas Tuchel was unhappy at Ivan Toney’s commitment in his last England camp in 2025 and justified not including Phil Foden in his squad

Thomas Tuchel has placed great faith in John Stones and Djed Spence while ignoring several star names in attack

Thomas Tuchel was unhappy with the striker last summer.

The England head coach has revealed more on the reasons behind his selections ahead of this summer's World Cup.

Tuchel was left unimpressed by Toney’s attitude last year but his fears were allayed as the Al-Ahli striker edged out Dominic Calvert-Lewin