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Thomas Tuchel has announced his first England squad since the 2026 World Cup, with 10 changes from the group that represented the Three Lions in North America.
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Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman was again left out despite his explosive recent form, including a two-goal performance against Ipswich in the Carabao Cup.
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Former England striker Jay Bothroyd believes Dowman’s omission is more surprising than Noni Madueke’s, arguing that the teenager is already showing qualities that could benefit the national team.
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Madueke, who represented England at the World Cup, has also been left out of Tuchel’s latest squad as the manager begins a new cycle after the tournament.
September 18, (THEWILL) – Thomas Tuchel has announced his first England squad since the 2026 World Cup, but it did not take long for questions to emerge over one notable omission.
While the England manager has recalled the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer and handed opportunities to several new faces, Arsenal teenager Max Dowman has once again been left out of the senior squad.
The decision has quickly reopened the debate over whether the 16-year-old has done enough to earn a place among England’s senior players, particularly after another eye-catching display for Arsenal.
Former England striker Jay Bothroyd has now added his voice to the discussion, arguing that Dowman is more unfortunate to miss out than Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke.
Tuchel Makes Major Changes
Tuchel has selected a 27-man squad for England’s opening Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czechia and Croatia, with the changes coming after England finished third at the World Cup.
Ten players who were not part of Tuchel’s final World Cup squad have been included, among them Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer. (E
At the same time, several World Cup players have been dropped. Madueke is among the notable absentees, alongside players including John Stones, Dan Burn, Reece James and Ivan Toney.
That has created an interesting comparison with Dowman, who has never represented England at senior level but has continued to attract attention with his performances for Arsenal.
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Dowman’s Latest Performance Adds Fuel
Dowman strengthened his case for greater involvement with Arsenal in midweek, scoring twice and providing an assist during the club’s Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich.
The 16-year-old opened the scoring inside seven minutes before adding his second after half-time, producing another performance that highlighted his confidence and attacking ability.
His display came shortly before Tuchel revealed his latest England squad, ensuring that his omission would remain a talking point.
Dowman has already been on Tuchel’s radar. Earlier this year, the England manager described him as a fantastic talent and said his age would not prevent him from eventually being considered for the senior team.
However, Tuchel has also previously stressed the importance of allowing the teenager to develop without creating unnecessary pressure around him.
🗣️ “Max Dowman is better than Madueke now.”
Jay Bothroyd believes Max Dowman is more unfortunate to miss out on Thomas Tuchel’s England squad than Noni Madueke. pic.twitter.com/jQztUBGU2C
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 18, 2026
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
