Gary Lineker has weighed in on the possibility of Rio Ngumoha making the England squad for the 2026 World Cup, and his take is clear: it’s a long shot. The 17-year-old winger has made a splash in his debut season with Liverpool, showcasing his talent and scoring crucial goals, including a stunning 100th-minute winner against Newcastle last August.
Despite his impressive performances, Ngumoha has only started twice in the Premier League and hasn’t yet earned an under-21 cap. Lineker pointed out that while Ngumoha is an exciting prospect, it might be too early for him to be considered for the national team. "He’s only just broken into the Liverpool team, but he’s very exciting. It’s just come a bit too soon for him, I think," Lineker said during a recent episode of The Rest Is Football.
The competition for places in the England squad is fierce. With established players like Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, and Harvey Barnes already in the mix, Ngumoha faces an uphill battle. Even if some fans recall Theo Walcott’s surprise inclusion in the 2006 World Cup at just 17, the depth of talent available to manager Thomas Tuchel today is far greater.
Ngumoha's time will come, but for now, it looks like he’ll be watching the World Cup from home. His development at Liverpool is one to keep an eye on, as he continues to grow into a key player for the Reds.
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