Thomas Tuchel told to leave Phil Foden at home for World Cup for teenage wildcard
Max Dowman has been tipped as a wildcard to take Phil Foden’s place in England’s World Cup squad.
Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history by netting for Arsenal in their 2-0 win over Everton.
The teenager sealed a crucial victory for Mikel Arteta‘s side with a stunning breakaway goal in the dying moments on Saturday.
Aged just 16 years and 73 days, he smashed the 20-year record held by James Vaughan, who scored for Everton against Crystal Palace aged 16 years and 270 days in April 2005.
After being brought on in the 75th minute with the score at 0-0, the youngster also had a hand in Viktor Gyokeres’ opening goal.
‘Get him in’
Already touted as a future star, Dowman’s recent heroics have now seen him tipped for an accelerated rise to the top.
On social media, fans have begun calling for England manager Thomas Tuchel to include the 16-year-old in his squad for this summer’s World Cup.
If Dowman makes his international debut this year, he will break Theo Walcott‘s record, who was capped at 17 years and 75 days in 2006.
Former Arsenal star Walcott went on to be named in the Three Lions’ World Cup squad that year, despite having not yet played for the Gunners competitively after his transfer from Southampton.
And while talk of Dowman treading a similar path has been dismissed as premature by some, Arsenal fan and content creator Joel Beya has claimed the starlet is more than ready for the big stage.
Discussing Dowman’s recent heroics on talkSPORT Breakfast, Beya said: “Get him in the England squad!”
And Beya didn’t stop there, as he heaped praise on the Gunners starlet, as well as 17-year-old Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha.
Asked if Dowman is the most exciting youngster he’s seen in a long time, Beya replied: “100 per cent. I think him and Rio Ngumoha as well.
“Get Max into the England squad. You need a wildcard. He’s different to Theo Walcott. He’s actually played games for the first team.
“With Theo it was a little bit different. In the sense you saw him against Mansfield in the FA Cup.
“He deserves a call up man. He really does.”
Phil’s foe?
Tuchel doesn’t have long left to make a decision on Dowman, with the upcoming March internationals his last chance to take a look at England’s options before he begins naming his World Cup squad.
And despite Dowman only being capped up to Under-19 level, talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor claims the poor form of others in his position – namely Phil Foden – should see him considered for selection.
Responding to Beya’s calls, he said: “It’s not the craziest thing I’ve heard because we talk about number 10s, but are number 10s performing?
“Phil Foden has zero goals in 15 games in 2026. Don’t rule it out, you can’t rule it out.”
Long hailed as the country’s biggest natural talent, Foden struggled with Manchester City in recent months.
After a difficult 2024/25 campaign, which saw Tuchel leave the Manchester City star out of successive England squads, the playmaker enjoyed a resurgence towards the end of 2025 with six goals in four games.
But he has endured another dip in form of late, with only one assist to show for in goal contributions in 2026.
And with Dowman capable of operating in both the No.10 role and out wide, Beya claimed his versatility makes him an even more attractive option to Tuchel.
Stating Dowman’s case, he continued: “On top of that he can play on the flanks if you really want as well.
“He comes on and he makes a difference. You saw that with the cross from deep for the first goal.
“People are going on like it’s wild. Who can come on and cause that much problem for a defence right now in the England team right now? Who, besides Noni Madueke?”
Tuchel will name his squad for the upcoming friendlies with Uruguay and Japan on Friday, March 20.
FIFA recently announced that each participating country must name their final 26-man squad for the World Cup on May 30.
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