England striker Ivan Toney says clear communication with head coach Thomas Tuchel has resolved earlier misunderstandings and helped define his role within the national team’s squad at the FIFA World Cup, with the forward prepared to make an impact from the bench whenever called upon.

Speaking ahead of England’s final Group-stage fixture against Panama in New Jersey, Toney acknowledged that he currently sits behind captain Harry Kane and, in all likelihood, Ollie Watkins in the team’s centre-forward hierarchy. Rather than viewing that position as a source of frustration, the 30-year-old said clarity from the coaching staff has enabled him to focus entirely on contributing whenever opportunities arise.

The comments come after England’s goalless draw against Ghana in their second group match, a result that left qualification scenarios still active heading into the final group fixture. While Toney remained an unused substitute, he described a light-hearted exchange with one of his sons after the match that illustrated the realities of tournament football from a family perspective.

According to Toney, his young son questioned why he had travelled to watch him without seeing him take the field. The striker laughed while recounting the conversation, adding that his son was equally eager to meet several of England’s established stars, including Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, after the final whistle.

Despite limited playing time, Toney indicated that he fully understands the responsibilities assigned to him within Tuchel’s squad. He said the coaching staff view him as a specialist option capable of changing matches during the closing stages, particularly in situations where England require a goal or an increased physical presence inside the penalty area.

His responsibilities include providing an aerial threat, competing aggressively for second balls, creating uncertainty for opposing defenders and offering another target during set-piece situations. Such tactical roles have become increasingly valuable in tournament football, where matches are frequently decided by late goals or dead-ball situations.

Toney’s return to the England squad followed discussions within Tuchel’s coaching staff after the March international window, during which other striking options, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke, failed to firmly establish themselves. As the coaching staff evaluated different match scenarios and potential tactical alternatives, Toney’s profile emerged repeatedly during internal conversations.

One factor influencing that assessment was the familiarity several members of the coaching staff had with the striker. Assistant coach Justin Cochrane had previously worked alongside Toney during their time at Brentford and was able to provide detailed insight into both the player’s character and professional standards. Additional recommendations came from Al-Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle, who shares a longstanding football connection with Tuchel dating back to their time at Stuttgart, where Jaissle played under the German coach during his early coaching career.

Those conversations eventually led Tuchel to meet directly with Toney to address concerns arising from previous interactions and to explain precisely how he intended to use the striker during the tournament.

Toney said the discussions were constructive rather than confrontational. He rejected the idea that either side needed to apologise, describing the meetings instead as an opportunity for both men to better understand one another.

According to Toney, Tuchel had not previously known him well away from the football pitch, while the striker himself gained greater insight into the manager’s expectations. He added that positive feedback from teammates and people outside football also helped provide a fuller picture of his personality.

“There may have been some miscommunication,” Toney said. “We spoke openly, cleared the air and now we’re on the same page.”

He explained that one of the most important outcomes of those discussions was receiving an honest assessment of where he stood within England’s plans before the tournament began.

Toney said uncertainty over selection can become mentally challenging for players during major competitions, making transparency from the coaching staff particularly valuable. Knowing exactly what was expected, he said, allowed him to fully commit to the squad’s objectives without unnecessary distractions.

The striker also emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive influence within the dressing room regardless of individual playing time. He acknowledged that every professional footballer naturally wants to play more minutes but said supporting teammates, training at a consistently high level and contributing positively to the squad environment remain essential responsibilities throughout an international tournament.

England’s current squad has undergone notable changes compared with the group assembled during the previous international cycle. Several players involved in last year’s camp, including Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Conor Gallagher, are no longer part of the current tournament squad. Toney, however, retained Tuchel’s confidence after their discussions and subsequent performances in training.