Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has cautioned teenage prodigy Max Dowman against accepting a potential call-up to the England national football team squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Dowman has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in English football and is already being tipped for a shock inclusion in the squad for the tournament in North America.
However, Walcott, who was thrust into the global spotlight at just 17 during the 2006 World Cup, believes such a move could come too soon for the youngster.
Walcott was selected for England’s World Cup squad two decades ago but did not feature in a single match, a decision that has since been widely criticised.
Drawing from that experience, the former England international admitted he would have handled things differently.
“I hope he doesn’t go… if I could go back in time, I would change things,” Walcott said as revealed by the Mirror.
“He needs to grow at his own pace, especially on the emotional side.”
Despite Dowman’s rapid rise at Arsenal, Walcott believes the teenager is still in a crucial phase of his development and should not be rushed into the demands of international football’s biggest stage.
“In time he will go, yes, but I don’t think this is the time,” he added.
The England legend also stressed that there are more experienced players who may be better suited to handle the pressure of a World Cup campaign.
Unlike Walcott’s own experience, where he was quickly thrown into the media spotlight, Dowman is currently being managed more carefully at the club level.
That protection, Walcott believes, is vital to ensuring the youngster fulfils his immense potential.
With growing calls for his inclusion, the decision over Dowman’s international future is set to be a major talking point ahead of the 2026 tournament.
