England's Three Main Strikers All Leave the Premier League, 45 Days After the World Cup They Are on Opposite Sides

Just 45 days after the 2026 World Cup third-place match, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney appeared on the same pitch again, but this time they were opponents. Watkins made his debut for Al Hilal at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh and scored, helping his team defeat Al Ahli, the club Toney plays for, 3-0.

From Miami to Riyadh: A Change of Scene in 45 Days

The last time the two played alongside each other was at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where they represented England in the 2026 World Cup third-place match. Now, they have moved from Florida in the United States to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, wearing the shirts of different clubs. Watkins previously played for Aston Villa, and after moving to the Saudi Pro League, none of the three centre-forwards in England's 2026 World Cup squad are playing in the Premier League.

Age and Statistics: Time Pressure on England's Forward Line

Watkins and Toney are both 30 years old, while Harry Kane turned 33 in July. Last season, Kane made 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and England and scored 73 goals, remaining one of the world's top centre-forwards. He is expected to continue serving as England captain at Euro 2028.

Forward-Line Leaders Moving Away from the Premier League, Future Choices Face Uncertainty

England's key forwards are moving away from the Premier League, and changes in age profiles and league environments mean the Three Lions face greater uncertainty over their future centre-forward options.