West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen is making a compelling case for inclusion in England's squad for the 2026 World Cup, with the 28-year-old revealing the unique mindset that he believes sets him apart in a fiercely competitive field.
The Underdog Mentality
Bowen, who recently earned his 20th international cap during England's qualifying victory in Albania, attributes his drive to what he describes as an 'underdog mentality'. The West Ham captain never believed he would become a professional footballer during his early days playing non-league football for Hereford, and this perspective continues to fuel his ambition.
"It's similar to my West Ham mindset," Bowen explained. "Since I started playing football back at Hereford I've always had the same thing - I never thought I would play professional football, that's the bottom line. I came up from Hereford, came up from the Conference, never thought I'd be stood here talking about my 20th cap."
World Cup Ambition and Past Disappointment
The England forward experienced the disappointment of missing selection for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, describing tournament football as "the pinnacle of any player's career." Bowen is determined to make up for that missed opportunity and secure his place in Thomas Tuchel's plans for next summer's global showpiece.
"I was lucky to experience a Euros and a World Cup would be that extra step," he said. "I missed out last time and another one is around the corner. For me, it is about showing what I can do every single day in training."
Bowen acknowledges the intense competition for places in England's attacking lineup, namechecking established stars like Bukayo Saka alongside emerging talents such as Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden. Despite this, he maintains both humility and self-belief in equal measure.
Embracing the Super-Sub Role
The West Ham star appears fully prepared to accept whatever role manager Thomas Tuchel envisions for him, including potentially making an impact from the substitutes' bench. Bowen referenced Tuchel's recent comments about the importance of game-changing substitutes at major tournaments, pointing to Eberechi Eze's goal off the bench against Serbia as the perfect example.
"I did see his comments," Bowen confirmed. "We speak about it as a group because ultimately if we want to be a winning side we need people to make a difference from the bench."
He added: "It might only be five minutes, 10 minutes - Ebs came on the other day and scored the goal to make it 2-0 and the game was done. I think the competition - really pushing each other every single day - breeds success in a really good squad."
Bowen's immediate focus returns to maintaining his form with West Ham, recognising that consistent club performances between now and England's next camp in March will be crucial to his World Cup aspirations. His journey from non-league football to the brink of international tournament selection serves as testament to the determined mindset he continues to carry with him.
