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Gary Lineker suggests that the 2026 World Cup may be too soon for 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha to join the England squad, despite his impressive debut season with Liverpool.
âQuite a big shoutâ â What Gary Lineker said about possibility of World Cup call for Rio Ngumoha
Gary Lineker believes that the 2026 World Cup may come âa bit too soonâ for Rio Ngumoha to break into the England squad.
The 17-year-old has made a serious impression during his first season in senior football, injecting a much-needed spark into Liverpoolâs attack along the left flank and scoring twice in the Premier League, including a memorable 100th-minute winner at Newcastle last August.
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However, having started just twice in the top flight and yet to even win an under-21 cap for his country, heâd still represent a rogue shout for Thomas Tuchelâs selection for the tournament in North America rather than a leading contender for a seat on the plane.
In the latest episode of The Rest Is Football, Lineker praised the impact that Ngumoha has made for the Reds but doesnât see him getting into the England squad for this yearâs World Cup, which is now just seven weeks away.
Gary Lineker expressed that the 2026 World Cup might come 'a bit too soon' for Rio Ngumoha to be included in the England squad.
Rio Ngumoha has made a significant impact, scoring twice in the Premier League and providing a spark to Liverpool's attack.
Rio Ngumoha scored a memorable 100th-minute winner against Newcastle last August.
Rio Ngumoha is 17 years old and plays as a forward, primarily on the left flank.
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The former Match of the Day host said:Â âI mean, thatâs quite a big shout. Heâs only just broken into the Liverpool team, but heâs very exciting. He is a talent, but yeah, itâs just come a bit too soon for him, I think.â
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We agree with Lineker on this one â as brilliant as Ngumoha has been and as much as heâs deserved his first-team minutes at Liverpool, itâd come as a massive shock if Tuchel were to include him in the England squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Some may point to Theo Walcottâs bombshell inclusion for the 2006 finals (when he was 17 and hadnât yet played for Arsenal) as an even more unlikely precedent, although the depth of attacking options available to the current Three Lions boss is much larger than what Sven-Goran Eriksson had 20 years ago.
Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford and Harvey Barnes are all tried-and-tested options on the left flank, with Phil Foden, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke also capable of lining out there, so thereâs already huge competition for places in Tuchelâs attack.
In that context, for Ngumoha to even be mentioned in conversations as a potential wildcard pick for the 2026 World Cup is a testament to how brilliantly heâs doing for Liverpool, with his stock rising further after his magnificent goal against Fulham a fortnight ago.
Even if the England call doesnât come in time for June, it seems almost certain that the 17-year-old will receive his maiden Three Lions cap in the foreseeable future, should he build upon his exploits of this season and avoid any cruel injury setbacks.