- Jarrod Bowen was a first-half substitute in England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay
- The West Ham captains has 14 goal involvements in the Premier League this season
- Bowen will play against Japan at Wembley Stadium tonight
West Ham United’s captain, Jarrod Bowen has been as important as always to the team this season. The 29-year-old didn’t have a first-half of the season he would have loved but now has the most goal involvements of any Englishman in the Premier League.
Whilst with the Hammers the focus is on keeping the club in the top flight, with England, it is all about making the World Cup squad for this summer.
Jarrod Bowen’s 2025/26 West Ham United Statistics
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 34 | 10 | 7 |
Bowen was selected by the Three Lions once again and was included in the team for their game with Uruguay last Friday. The winger came on early, replacing Noni Madueke but could not make too much impact in a fully changed England side.
With a number of players leaving the squad this week, Bowen is expected to get another chance to impress tonight, against Japan.
According to The Standard, the West Ham captain spoke to the England manager, Thomas Tuchel, telling him that he struggles against low-block opponents. Something Uruguay did deploy on Friday night. Bowen also explained how he excels when he can find space in behind, something more technical team’s do.
The point of the conversation was to convince Tuchel that he had not seen the best of the winger yet, and to unleash him on opposition he could have a greater threat against.
A number of players in Bowen’s position that are rumoured to be ahead of him in the pecking order have left the squad this week. Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke have both withdraw, leaving the door open.
Japan are a top-20 nation within FIFA’s ranking, thus meeting Bowen’s request and seeing all the parts fall into place. Tonight’s game will be the last before Tuchel names his initial squad for the World Cup.
West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen’s England competition
The West Ham talisman will know that tonight is an opportunity he cannot miss, with certain factors already against him.
Saka, who has not been in form recently, is expected to head to the USA as the first choice right winger for England. Madueke, who Tuchel is said to adore, is in pole position for the back up spot.
For Bowen, time his running out but the 29-year-old is doing all he can, no less than at West Ham. The winger’s attacking output is unmatched by any in his position and is hoping to use tonight, alongside the rest of this season, to force the England’s boss’s hand.
The Hammers captain has been a talisman for his club and at 29, this is his prime and last opportunity. This is something Bowen has on his side, this is tournament football and the winger is the most all-round and in-form in that position.
Bowen will play tonight with it being the final audition in an England shirt for this summer. He will then return to the Irons determined to not only keep his team up, but force Tuchel to put him on that plane.
