Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Mon 30 March 2026 15:15, UK

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Max Dowman has made just seven senior appearances for Arsenal, yet he is already under discussion to go to the World Cup with England this summer.

The 16-year-old scored his first goal for the Gunners in the closing moments of their win over Everton earlier this month, and has taken the Premier League by storm.

The England youth international had made his breakthrough at the start of the season, becoming the second-youngest player ever to appear in the Premier League.

Dowman won a penalty against Leeds United that day, but his contribution to both goals against Everton showed his already-existing ability to make an impact at the highest level.

The Arsenal youngster may well have scored his first goal far earlier in the season, had he not been ruled out for almost three months with an ankle injury.

Micah Richards dismisses Max Dowman World Cup talk

Dowman was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with the German explaining that he does not want to intensify the pressure.

It is easy to forget just how young the talent is, with Arsenal sure to prioritise his development as a teenager, as well as a footballer.

But the fact that the conversation is taking place at all speaks to how highly rated the 16-year-old is, with huge excitement building around his potential.

Some comparisons have been made to the example set by Theo Walcott. Arsenal had signed the youngster from Southampton in January 2006, in a deal worth up to £12million after he had scored four Championship goals.

Before even making his debut for the Gunners, the 17-year-old was, incredibly, called up for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s World Cup. He would not make an appearance in Germany, and later admitted the selection did not help him.

Speaking to The Rest Is Football podcast on Monday, Micah Richards asked: “Remember Theo Walcott? When he was young, and he’d not even played in the Premier League?

“He was at Southampton in the Championship, I believe. Dowman’s only played three Premier League games or something like that. Come on. It’s too soon.

“Unless he scores eight goals to the end of the season and the Champions League, and Arsenal go on and win the league – totally agree with you. However, no.”

Theo Walcott has urged Dowman to stay at home

While playing for a club of the magnitude of Arsenal, and making key contributions in the Premier League title race, it must already be extremely difficult for Dowman to comprehend the attention he is receiving.

To send him to the World Cup would be to magnify that pressure even further. While he is undoubtedly capable, his welfare must come before any other factor in such a decision.

Dowman looks to be set for worldwide attention on the grandest stages, but that can wait for after this summer at least.

At his rate, the teenager could well go to the next four World Cups with England. There is no need to rush.