West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen has openly declared his intention to secure a place in England's squad for next summer's World Cup, acknowledging he is in direct competition with elite talents like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.
The Battle for the Right Wing
With Bukayo Saka firmly established as the first-choice right winger under manager Thomas Tuchel, Bowen recognises the fight is on for the remaining spots. He sees himself vying with Manchester City's Foden and Chelsea's Palmer, while also noting the strong contention from the currently injured Noni Madueke, who impressed in September victories over Andorra and Serbia.
"What I'm up against is Bukayo, Noni is injured for this camp, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden can all play there," Bowen stated. "You're talking about world-class, elite players and I'm in the same category as them." His strategy is clear: to consistently perform at such a high level that he gives both Tuchel and Saka a genuine 'selection headache'.
Versatility as a Key Asset
Bowen believes his ability to operate effectively across the front line will be a significant advantage in his quest for a seat on the plane. While he primarily features on the right or as a centre-forward for West Ham, he demonstrated his adaptability during England's 2-0 win against Albania on Sunday, 16 November 2025.
After starting the match on the right, he moved to the left flank for a 20-minute period following Saka's introduction. "The manager has noticed that about me," Bowen explained. "He has noticed that hunger, that drive that wherever it is on the pitch, I will run... Anywhere across the front line I am comfortable playing." He was quick to add, however, that filling the shoes of a striker like Harry Kane would be a monumental task.
From Non-League Dreams to World Cup Ambitions
The journey to this point has been a remarkable one for Bowen, who began his career in non-league football with Hereford. He confessed to having to overcome feelings of being an outsider on the international stage.
"I never thought I would play professional football, that's the bottom line," he revealed. Now, with 20 England caps to his name and experience from a European Championship campaign, his sights are set on the ultimate prize. "It can be overwhelming with England but you need to tell yourself you're not here to make the numbers up, you're here on merit," he asserted, adding that a World Cup appearance would be "the pinnacle of any player’s career."
