EXCLUSIVE: Theo Walcott urges Max Dowman to snub World Cup if Thomas Tuchel picks Arsenal gemTheo Walcott, who was named in England's 2006 World Cup squad as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, hopes Max Dowman will sit out of this summer's tournament in North AmericaView 3 Images Thomas Tuchel says the door is open for Max Dowman to make England's World Cup squadEighty five days out from England's World Cup opener against Croatia in Texas, Thomas Tuchel has plenty to deliberate. Tuchel is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to end England's gruelling 60-year wait for glory. ‌For that reason, he is refusing to rule out utilising a unique secret weapon in North America: Arsenal's 16-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman, whom the German has already described as a "game-changer." At 17 years and 75 days, Theo Walcott remains England's youngest-ever debutant, however, Dowman would obliterate that long-standing record if he were to receive the nod this summer. ‌But he was later overlooked by Fabio Capello for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and also missed the 2014 tournament in Brazil following knee surgery.

Source: Daily Mirror March 24, 2026 21:11 UTC