Theo Walcott has declared Marcus Rashford a “dead cert” to start for England at the World Cup – while John Barnes has urged the national team to “leave Rio Ngumoha alone”.
Rashford, revitalised after a loan spell at Barcelona where he scored 14 goals and registered 14 assists in 47 games for the La Liga champions, started England’s 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand on Saturday. The 28-year-old created five chances in the first half before being replaced at half-time by Anthony Gordon. Walcott, speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, said: “Rashford this year has been outstanding … He would be a dead cert to start for me. The way he’s played, that freedom, that enjoyment. We want to see that smile.”
“Walcott calls Rashford a 'dead cert' to start at World Cup; Barnes warns against rushing Ngumoha.”
Rashford was left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad and did not play for England for 12 months until Thomas Tuchel recalled him. He has been in every squad since, missing only June 2025 with a hamstring injury. His club future remains uncertain: Barcelona have until 15 June – two days before England’s World Cup opener against Croatia – to trigger a £26m clause to make the loan permanent.
Meanwhile, Ngumoha made his England debut off the bench against New Zealand and was named Player of the Match. The Liverpool teenager, who had only nine starts in 29 appearances for his club, was not included in the provisional 55-man squad submitted to FIFA, meaning he cannot be called up as an injury replacement. Barnes told talkSport: “Leave him alone and let him develop … He’s not even playing for Liverpool, so until he gets into the team consistently and plays well, don’t put the pressure on him.”
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was impressed, saying: “He was quality, nothing fazed him.” But Barnes insisted: “If you’re not playing for Arsenal or Liverpool regularly, why are you going to be playing for England?”
England have one final warm-up match against Costa Rica before the tournament begins. Rashford, Walcott believes, will be central: “Out of all the players, I’m most psyched about him.”