Expectations for Idan Toklomati in 2026

By Brian Maurer

Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90

U-22 Initiative striker Idan Toklomati (21) had a breakout season in 2025 after he took over for Patrick Agyemang, who was transferred to Derby County last summer. The Israeli striker led Charlotte FC with 13 goals in all competitions last year and has now switched to the coveted nine kit for 2026.

With wearing the number nine comes a new level of responsibility and expectation. It's been a topic of discussion across Charlotte's fan base and media, as well as among national pundits. What is the expected rise of this young attacker this season?

David Gass of Soccerwise asked TopBin90's Jorge Gonzales to go over/under 14.5 goals for Toklomati in 2026, and Gonzales responded that this was a good line for him and stated 15 was a good number for the young Israeli in 2026.

Here are some reasons why the expectations for Toklomati keep going up:

Making the 22 under 22 list in 2025

Toklomati was ranked third on the MLS 22 under 22 list at the end of 2025. Obed Vargas and Alex Freeman were ranked number one and two, respectively. Both Vargas and Freeman got moves to La Liga this winter, with Vargas getting his dream move to European powerhouse Atletico Madrid.

If those recent transfers are any indication, the expectations are sky high for Toklomati to hit another level this season based on the young players he is getting ranked alongside.

Toklomati is surrounded by top talent

Charlotte FC has signed several key players in positions around Toklomati, which should set him up for success. Wilfried Zaha, to his left, is a multi-million dollar veteran Designated Player (DP) winger who has played at the highest level of the game. Pep Biel had over 20 goal contributions even when his season was cut short by injury in 2025. Liel Abada, to his right, is a club-record signing with high expectations to bring goals and assists.

Kerwin Vargas has competed for Abada's minutes and has proven that he can push towards TAM-level as a winger. Luca de la Torre was brought in to help progress the ball forwards to Toklomati and the Crown's attack, and is likely on close to a max-TAM salary. Needless to say, there has been a bunch of money spent, and strong technical, experienced talent surrounding Toklomati, which should give him every reason to succeed.

In some ways, the Israeli striker's situation feels similar to that of Dejan Joveljic in 2024. The Serbian was a U-22 Initiative striker for the LA Galaxy at the time and was surrounded by really strong players. Riqui Puig, one of the most talented players in MLS, especially during the 2024 season. The Galaxy also spent big during that winter to bring in wingers Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil, who both contributed over 20 goals in their 2024 campaigns. All of these surrounding pieces helped Joveljic have a career year that season with 27 goal contributions (21g/6a), including the MLS Cup Final game winner.

The success of that season led the Serbian to earn a DP contract with Sporting Kansas City. With the pieces surrounding Toklomati and his rising potential, high expectations similar to this level are being set. The same level of goalscoring volume may not be necessary, but consistent goal contributions and being able to show up in key moments with the ability to find a winner is going to be a big part of the expectations for Toklomati in 2026. This is, in large part, because the pieces around him should be able to set him up to have those moments. Just like Puig, Pec, and Painstil did for Joveljic.

He is in as good a position to succeed as any player on the 2025 22 under 22 list

The two players above Toklomati on the 22 under 22 list last year have both moved on to La Liga, while the seven players below him in the top 10 of that list are all still in MLS this season. Those seven players are Owen Wolff, David Martinez, Quinn Sullivan, Peyton Miller, Nathan Ordaz, Luca Bombino, and Zavier Gozo.

Of this group with top young players, Toklomati's situation is set up to be as good as anyone's to succeed this year. He is on a good team with a high floor (50+ points per year with Dean Smith as coach), with quality veteran players all around him who can help him grow, and a clear pathway to weekly minutes as he is the declared starting striker.

Given those factors, Toklomati stands out as having one of the best situations of any U-22 player in MLS to hit another peak level in 2026. Martinez and Ordaz for LAFC, and Bombino for San Diego, all stand out as players in similarly good situations. Those players don't have the luxury or potential of being the top goal scorer on their teams this season. Something Toklomati has already accomplished in Charlotte.

The floor was set in 2025 with a breakout campaign

Diving deeper on Toklomati as Charlotte FC's goalscoring leader in 2025, this is as clear a floor as any that can be found on paper for the young striker. The 21-year-old had 15 goal contributions (12g/3a) in just over 2000 MLS minutes last season, leading the Crown in goals.

It's safe to say this is now the established floor of what is expected from the young prospect, and his pathway to more minutes has been cleared. 2026 will be about Toklomati showing MLS what his ceiling can be.

Connection with Biel

Biel was Charlotte FC's main facilitator last season as he set a club record with 11 assists in 2025. According to Transfermarkt, Toklomati and Biel have combined for three goals in 1,057 minutes playing together (including last weekend's game).

This season, that connection in the final third will be one of the key factors for Toklomati raising his ceiling. So far in his Charlotte career, Toklomati has combined with Ashley Westwood, Vargas, and Biel for three goals, Zaha for two, and none with Abada. Combining and connecting with teammates is one of the Israeli's greatest strengths, so improving those connections in the final third will be paramount.

Overall 2026 expectations

Based on all the above reasons, here is a bulletpoint breakdown of what seems to be sound expectations for the level Charlotte FC fans should see Toklomati rise to in 2026:

• Top 15 goal scorer in MLS

• 17+ goals scored (Agyemang and Toklomati combined for 18 in 2025 at the striker position)

• Playing a key role in pivotal moments to help Charlotte FC advance towards their season goals: advancing in MLS Cup playoffs, making a deep run in US Open Cup or Leagues Cup, rising up the Supporters' Shield table, and qualifying for Concacaf Champions Cup