Arsenal youngster Max Dowman has been named in England's Under-21s squad for the first time. The 16-year-old was included in head coach Lee Carsley's 23-man group for upcoming friendlies against Portugal and France.
This marks Dowman's first step up to Under-21 international football, having previously represented England at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 levels. His last appearance for the Under-19s ended in a red card during a behind-closed-doors friendly against the United States last month.
Recent red cards
Dowman was also sent off late on while playing for Arsenal in their Carabao Cup last-16 defeat by fourth-tier Fleetwood, after retaliating following a heavy challenge. The Gunners' appeal against his ban was rejected by the Football Association.
The incident drew a visibly furious reaction from manager Mikel Arteta, who spoke to the teenager as he left the pitch, having previously warned him about reacting to rough treatment. Arteta later defended his approach, insisting "we are not in Disneyland" and that Dowman must meet the same standards as the rest of the first-team squad.
Squad selections
Dowman is joined in the England Under-21s squad by Arsenal team-mates Tommy Setford and Ethan Nwaneri, who are on loan at Stevenage and Borussia Dortmund respectively, along with former Gunners youngsters Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Amario Cozier-Duberry.
Other notable selections include Liverpool midfielder Trey Nyoni, Tottenham's Archie Gray, Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong and Manchester City full-back Rico Lewis, who was called into the senior squad last month after an injury to club team-mate Nico O'Reilly.
Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha has been promoted to the senior squad by Thomas Tuchel, while Middlesbrough striker Will Lankshear misses out through injury.
Qualification and form
Carsley's side qualified for the 2027 Under-21 European Championship last month following a goalless home draw with Slovakia. The tournament takes place in Albania and Serbia next summer.
Their unbeaten qualifying run was ended by a defeat to the Republic of Ireland in the final fixture. England are the reigning back-to-back Under-21 champions of Europe, having won titles in both 2023 and 2025.
