Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has publicly called upon England manager Thomas Tuchel to make a bold selection by naming Arsenal starlet Max Dowman in his final roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The legendary midfielder expressed his admiration for the 16-year-old during a recent appearance on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, where he characterized the young playmaker as a generational prospect.
Scholes drew a direct comparison to the strategic risks taken by other elite nations, suggesting that England should follow the blueprint established by Spain with their integration of young talents. He believes that the current coaching staff has the tactical courage required to fast-track Dowman into the senior international setup despite his limited experience at the highest level.
“How good is Max Dowman? He is unbelievable,” Scholes remarked during the discussion. “Look at what Spain did with Lamine Yamal… get him in the England squad for the World Cup! I’ve got a feeling Tuchel is exactly the kind of coach brave enough to take him.”
The endorsement from one of England’s most decorated midfielders adds significant weight to the growing conversation surrounding Dowman’s rapid rise. As the World Cup approaches, the focus now shifts to whether Tuchel will heed the advice of the United legend and incorporate the Arsenal academy product into his plans for the global tournament, potentially mirroring the high-impact debuts of other teenage sensations on the world stage.
