Theo Walcott has advised 16-year-old Max Dowman to decline a potential 2026 World Cup invitation from Thomas Tuchel, citing his own difficult experience as a teenage selection for the 2006 tournament.
Theo Walcott has publicly urged Arsenal’s breakout star Max Dowman to snub any potential call-up to England’s World Cup squad this summer.
Dowman, who recently became the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer at 16 years and 73 days against Everton, is reportedly being monitored by Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.
Drawing parallels to his own surprise selection at age 17, Walcott admitted, “I hope he doesn’t go. I don’t mean it in a horrible way because if I could go back in time, I would change things.”
The former England winger believes that fast-tracking the teenager could hinder his emotional and physical development.
While Dowman has already shattered records, including becoming the youngest starter in Arsenal’s history and the youngest player to appear in the Champions League, Walcott emphasized the need for patience.
Reflecting on the “unnecessary hype” of his own 2006 experience, he suggested that Dowman should focus on growing at his own pace within the supportive environment established by Mikel Arteta.