England already know a place in the World Cup round of 32 is secure, yet Saturday’s game against Panama still carries weight, with top spot in Group L at stake. Ivan Toney enters that match aiming to show England can rely on far more than his cool head from the penalty spot.

Harry Kane remains first choice in attack and is one goal away from overtaking Gary Lineker as England’s leading World Cup scorer. Toney has not played a minute at this tournament so far and is widely labelled a penalty specialist, but the forward is determined to broaden that reputation.

Toney stresses that the coaching staff should see a complete centre-forward, not just a reliable taker from twelve yards. “I like to think I bring more than just penalties,” he said. “I think I can bring more to the game. But if I’m just to come on for one minute and take a penalty, I’d never turn that down, I’m here to help the team.”

The 30-year-old arrives in Qatar after a prolific 2025-26 season for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, scoring 32 goals, with 10 from the spot. Before moving to Saudi Arabia, Toney hit 72 goals for Brentford, including 23 penalties, and missed just once from the spot during that spell.

Toney’s push for more minutes follows a difficult spell with Thomas Tuchel in 2025. Toney played only two minutes across England’s fixtures that June, and Tuchel later hinted there were concerns about Toney’s commitment. The pair have since held detailed talks to address that tension and reset their relationship.

Toney explained that the meeting with Tuchel focused on understanding character rather than exchanging apologies. “It wasn’t really an apologising situation on both sides,” Toney said. “I think it was just more of because he doesn’t really know me as a person. So it was more like just speaking, diving in deeper on what I’m about and what he’s about also.”

Toney believes that discussion improved trust on both sides and helped shape his current World Cup involvement. “We both cleared the air, and I think he got good feedback on myself, from other players and other people not in football but out of the game. And I think now he’s starting to see the real me. And hopefully he’s pleased with me being here. Maybe that did play a part, a miscommunication, and that’s why we cleared the air. We’re on the same path now and things are sorted.”

The striker had not represented England since June 2025 before this tournament and many viewed the selection as a surprise. Toney now sits behind Kane in the pecking order but offers an elite record from the penalty spot, strong link-up play, and aerial presence that could be useful as games tighten in the knockout stages.

As England prepare for Panama, Tuchel knows a win guarantees first place in Group L and a favourable route in the draw. Toney remains ready for any role, whether as late substitute in normal time or specialist in a shoot-out, while also hoping for a chance to show a wider attacking skill set on the World Cup stage.