England Snub for In-Form Bowen
Jarrod Bowen has been left out of England's latest squad despite an outstanding start to West Ham United's Championship campaign. Thomas Tuchel named a 27-man group on Friday for England's opening UEFA Nations League fixtures of the 2026/27 season, and the West Ham captain was not included.
The omission is particularly notable given Bowen's numbers. The 29-year-old has registered four goals and three assists across his opening seven Championship appearances, ranking joint-third among the division's scorers. He has started every league game and was instrumental in West Ham's 6-0 demolition of Wrexham last time out, scoring once and creating another. Before that, he struck twice as the Hammers came from behind to beat Bolton Wanderers 3-2.
Tuchel selected eight forwards: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Rio Ngumoha. There was no place for Bowen, who has been a regular in recent England squads.
A Chance to Respond at Millwall
Bowen does not have long to dwell on the decision. West Ham travel to Millwall on Saturday for one of their biggest Championship tests so far, looking for a fifth consecutive league victory and their first league win at The Den since December 1988. Bowen's influence could be decisive. He has already delivered important away goals this season, most notably his double against Bolton.
Millwall have conceded 13 goals across their last five Championship matches, making their defensive vulnerability a major theme heading into the derby. Bowen, who has both scored and assisted in the same league match 10 times since the start of the 2023/24 season, will be central to West Ham's hopes of ending their long wait for a win at The Den.
Defying the Odds in the Championship
Bowen's performances have been a bright spot in a season that has seen West Ham adjust to life outside the Premier League. The winger remained at the club following relegation despite having opportunities to continue playing in the top flight, committing himself to helping his boyhood club achieve an immediate return. That decision has already paid off for manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
Bowen has become the focal point of an attack that has scored 20 goals across its opening seven Championship games. His ability to both score and create has been particularly important during West Ham's four-match league winning run. According to Opta, only Mohamed Salah (15), Finn Azaz (13) and Davis Keillor-Dunn (11) have produced more goal-and-assist performances in the same league game across England's top four divisions since the start of the 2023/24 season. Bowen's 10 such matches place him fourth on that list, a remarkable achievement given he has spent much of that timeframe in the Premier League.
Off the Pitch: A Growing Profile
Bowen's profile continues to grow off the pitch as well. His wife, Dani Dyer, is set to appear on Strictly Come Dancing this Saturday, adding to the couple's increasing visibility. The daughter of actor Danny Dyer, she met Bowen in 2021 and the couple married in 2025. They have twin daughters, Summer and Star, born in May 2023.
Dani Dyer has spoken openly about her initial reservations regarding Bowen's career and her status as a single mother to Santiago, a child from a previous relationship. Her parents intervened, encouraging her to appreciate Bowen's willingness to embrace her family. "In the end, I was getting to a point where my mum and dad were like, 'Listen, Dani, you're going to end up losing him. Stop it!'" she said on the Happy Baby, Happy Mum podcast.
What the Snub Means
Bowen's omission from the England squad raises questions about whether Championship form is enough to earn international recognition, even for a player with his Premier League pedigree. With eight forwards selected ahead of him, Tuchel appears to be looking at options beyond the second tier. However, Bowen's consistency and his ability to deliver in big moments suggest he remains firmly on the radar. A strong performance against Millwall on Saturday would serve as a timely reminder of his quality.
For West Ham, the focus remains on promotion. Bowen's decision to stay and lead the push for an immediate return to the top flight has already yielded significant returns. His form, coupled with the team's attacking output, has made the Hammers one of the Championship's most dangerous sides. Whether that translates into an England recall remains to be seen, but Bowen's response on the pitch will be closely watched.
Comments