Theo Walcott regrets 2006 World Cup selection at 17
- Theo Walcott was selected for England's 2006 World Cup squad at just 17 years old.
- He did not play any minutes during the tournament as England was eliminated in the quarter-finals.
- Walcott believes his selection was inappropriate and caused undue pressure on his career.
In 2006, Theo Walcott was controversially selected for the England national football team for the World Cup held in Germany, despite being only 17 years old and lacking experience in the Premier League. His inclusion, made by then-manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, was seen as a gamble, and Walcott himself later reflected that he was unprepared for the pressures of such a significant tournament. During the competition, he did not get any playing time, and England was eliminated in the quarter-finals after losing to Portugal on penalties. Walcott expressed that not being able to play was a major disappointment for him, as he had hoped to contribute to the team's efforts. Following the World Cup, he went on to have a successful career with Arsenal, but the experience of being picked at such a young age remained a pivotal moment in his professional development, as it placed undue pressure on him and affected his growth as a player.