World Cup 2026: Should Jarrod Bowen make the England squad?

England boss Thomas Tuchel named his final squad of 2025 for the November camp and it gave us more of an indication of what group of players are likely going to be selected to represent the Three Lions at the World Cup finals next summer. 

There are some who seem guaranteed spots on the plane, and some who will need to show their worth in the coming months. Jarrod Bowen is someone hoping to keep his place in the squad.

Right now, it looks like Bowen's chances are favourable as he has been selected for four of Tuchel's four squads this year. The West Ham United talisman has been having a growing impact on the Premier League in recent years and he has fully merited getting into the England picture.

For the Irons, he has been a regular source of goals in the past two seasons, with 29 goals and 15 assists across 2023/24 and 2024/25. West Ham are currently reliant on his individual quality and you fear the state they would be in without him.

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So there is no doubt as to why Tuchel thinks the 28-year-old could be a great asset for England at a major tournament, with Bowen having experience in Europe at club level.

That experience will be useful on football's biggest stage and given how frequently the former Hull City man has been picked by the German head coach since taking the reins and the start of the year, Bowen looks like he could be in the group of essentials when next summer rolls around.

There is also the fact that he is left-footed and these sorts of players are worth their weight in gold to managers, particularly defenders, but attackers too as it would allow Tuchel to try different dynamics.

Bowen predominantly plays on the right for West Ham, but he has also been a makeshift centre-forward at times. This versatility is also a benefit to a team competing at the World Cup, but unless the worst-case scenario happens and both Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins pick up injuries, Bowen is most likely going to be deployed in his most effective position.

England World Cup 2026 Squad Odds

It does seem like Tuchel likes to have a couple of options for each flank and Bowen will likely be the competition for Arsenal's Bukayo Saka on the right, another star who is left-footed.

Both are very talented and it highlights the squad depth England could have travelling across the Atlantic in June. And with it being a World Cup, there are likely going to be opportunities for both. Bowen's skillset may be best used against a certain opponent and the same goes for Saka.

I think it's apparent that Tuchel is a fan of Bowen, and I don't think you currently have two better right-sided wingers than him and Saka at this moment in time. So 11/8 for Bowen to make the World Cup squad seems like a very good price.