England to Call Up Ivan Toney for World Cup Despite Saudi League Stint Ivan Toney is set to be named in England’s World Cup squad for the upcoming tournament, despite his current status as a Saudi Pro League player. The 30-year-old striker, who previously played for Brentford, has scored 32 goals for Al-Ahli this season and is on course to win the Saudi Arabian Golden Boot. His strong performances have earned him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad, which will be officially announced on Friday. Tuchel included Toney after the player finished runner-up to Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Saudi Golden Boot last season. The German coach highlighted Toney’s 20-goal tally for his club this season and his significant contribution to the Asian Champions League campaign, though the source does not confirm he won the title. Tuchel also mentioned that he had intended to visit Saudi Arabia but was unable to do so, which influenced his decision to bring Toney into the squad. The inclusion of Toney has sparked mixed reactions from England fans. Several social media comments expressed surprise and skepticism, with some questioning his readiness for the World Cup. Phrases like “Ivan Toney is crazy” and “No f*ing way is Ivan ‘Sunday league’ Toney going to the World Cup” reflect the divided opinions among supporters. Others remarked on the unexpected nature of his selection, with one fan writing, “Ivan Toney in the England squad My eyes are bleeding.” Toney’s inclusion appears to come at the expense of Cole Palmer, the Chelsea midfielder. Palmer, who has struggled with form this season, has been dropped from the squad. The 24-year-old scored 10 goals and provided three assists in 33 appearances across all competitions this year, a significant drop from his previous season.#england #saudi_pro_league #thomas_tuchel #al_ahli #ivan_toney
SPL 25/26: Ronaldo Trails Behind Ivan Toney in Golden Boot Race Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr Saudi FC has reached the brink of securing the Saudi Pro League Title 2026, but the Portuguese star has fallen behind Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney in the Golden Boot race. As the 32nd matchweek of the 2025/26 season concluded, Al-Nassr led the league table with 82 points, finishing 32 matches, 27 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, 86 goals scored, 26 goals conceded, a goal difference of 60, and 82 points. However, the team faces two crucial matches remaining: one against Al Hilal and another against Damac. A loss to Al Hilal on May 12 could prevent Al-Nassr from claiming their first league title since 2019. Al Hilal, currently second with 77 points, has three matches left, including the clash against Al-Nassr. A perfect run in those games could give Al Hilal 86 points, surpassing Al-Nassr’s total. The Golden Boot race has seen Ivan Toney of Al Ahli surge ahead. With 30 goals in 29 matches, Toney leads the league’s top scorers, outpacing Al-Qadsiah’s Julián Quiñones, who has 29 goals in 29 matches. Ronaldo, Al-Nassr’s captain, trails with 26 goals, a five-goal deficit from Toney. To reclaim the Golden Boot, Ronaldo would need to score heavily in the remaining two matches, a challenge given the competition’s intensity. Toney’s dominance extends beyond goal tallying. On May 6, he scored a hat trick against Al Fateh, propelling him to the top of the Saudi Pro League’s scoring charts. This achievement makes him the fourth player in SPL history to record four hat-tricks in a single season, joining legends like Abderrazak Hamdallah, Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema. Toney’s performance also contributed to the 2025/26 season’s record-breaking 18 hat-tricks, the highest ever in a single SPL campaign.#saudi_pro_league #cristiano_ronaldo #al_ahli #ivan_toney #al_nassr_saudi_fc
Al Fayha vs Al Ahli Preview & Prediction Al Fayha and Al Ahli are set to clash in a crucial Saudi Pro League encounter, with both teams vying for position in the league table. Al Fayha, currently positioned in the middle of the table, will face Al Ahli, who occupy the top three but trail the league leaders by five points. The match promises to be a test of form and strategy, with Al Ahli’s recent performance suggesting they are in strong shape. Al Fayha’s recent campaign has been marked by resilience, as evidenced by their 1-0 defeat to Neom in their last match. This loss, however, was only their second defeat in six league games, highlighting their ability to compete consistently. The team’s defensive solidity and tactical discipline have kept them in contention, though they will need to address their attacking efficiency to secure more points. Al Ahli, on the other hand, have been in impressive form under the guidance of coach Matthias Jaissle, the former Red Bull Salzburg manager. Their 3-0 victory over Damak last weekend underscored their dominance, with the team showcasing both offensive firepower and defensive organization. As reigning Asian champions, Al Ahli bring a wealth of experience and a proven ability to deliver results. Their recent win has bolstered their confidence, positioning them as strong favorites for this match. The match will take place at Al Fayha’s home ground, where the team has historically shown competitiveness. However, Al Ahli’s away record suggests they can overcome any challenges posed by their opponents. The visitors’ ability to maintain their high standards in hostile environments will be a key factor in determining the outcome. For fans, the match offers an opportunity to witness two of Saudi football’s most formidable sides in action.#saudi_pro_league #al_ahli #matthias_jaissle #al_fayha #neom
Physical Tests Determine Hassan Tambakti's Status Before the Clasico Hassan Tambakti, the Saudi Al-Hilal defender, will undergo physical assessments in the coming hours to assess his ability to take part in the semi-final clash against Saudi Al-Ahli in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup. The 31-year-old sustained a muscle injury during Al-Hilal’s match against Al-Fateh in the 26th round of the Saudi Professional League. He was substituted in the 28th minute of the game, with Abdul Karim Darcy stepping in as his replacement. Initial reports suggest Tambakti may be available for the upcoming match, particularly after joining the team delegation that arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday. His presence in the delegation has raised hopes of his participation in the highly anticipated classic, which is expected to be a pivotal encounter in the competition. Italian coach Simone Inzaghi is anticipated to finalize Tambakti’s involvement in the match before the game, which will be held at the "Al-Inma" Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City. The match is scheduled for Wednesday evening at 10:00 PM Mecca time, and it promises to be a fiercely contested showdown. Both teams are eager to secure a place in the final, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for their season. The physical tests will play a crucial role in determining Tambakti’s readiness, as his inclusion could provide a tactical advantage for Al-Hilal. The semi-final clash also comes amid a series of challenges for Al-Hilal, including injuries to key players and internal discussions about management changes. While Tambakti’s potential return offers a glimmer of hope, the team must navigate multiple obstacles to achieve their goal of advancing to the final.#simone_inzaghi #al_hilal #al_ahli #hassan_tambakti #custodian_of_the_two_holy_mosques_cup
King’s Cup semis set up rivalries, redemption and a potential giant killing The Saudi King’s Cup has reached its final stage, with Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli set to face off in the semi-finals at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, while Al-Ittihad will travel to Qassim to take on Al-Kholood. Both matches are scheduled for Wednesday at 10:00pm, with fans across the Kingdom eagerly anticipating the matchups that will determine the final participants. The semi-finals promise dramatic narratives, including the return of a historic rivalry and the possibility of an underdog victory. Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, two of Saudi football’s most storied clubs, are set to renew their long-standing rivalry in the semi-finals. The two teams have clashed in previous King’s Cup finals, with Al-Hilal emerging victorious in two of those encounters. However, Al-Ahli has yet to defeat Al-Hilal in a semi-final, a fact that adds tension to the upcoming match. The rivalry dates back to the 1970s, with memorable moments including Al-Ahli’s 2015/16 season, when they claimed their first league title in 32 years and defeated Al-Hilal in the King’s Cup semi-finals. The match is expected to be a high-stakes encounter, with both teams still in the running for the Saudi Pro League title and the AFC Champions League Elite. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad’s semi-final against Al-Kholood presents a different kind of drama. Al-Kholood, a club under foreign ownership, has made history by reaching the semi-finals for the first time in their club’s history. This marks a significant milestone for the club, which has been led by owner Ben Harburg and head coach Des Buckingham. The match against Al-Ittihad, a team that has faced its own challenges this season, could be a turning point for both sides.#al_ittihad #al_hilal #saudi_kings_cup #al_ahli #al_kholood
