Danny Dyer slams Thomas Tuchel for omitting son-in-law Jarrod Bowen from World Cup, family booked US flights

Danny Dyer has branded his son-in-law Jarrod Bowen’s exclusion from the England World Cup squad as “ridiculous”, revealing the family was so confident of his selection that they were “half booking flights” to the United States for the tournament. The actor, a lifelong West Ham fan, voiced his anger on The Wayne Rooney Show, describing the omission as a “joke” and warning that England will struggle without the winger.

Dyer: “Without Jarrod, they’re going to be pony”

Speaking after Bowen was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, Dyer did not hold back. “It’s a double whammy for him,” he said. “He had a terrible weekend, it’s awful. He didn’t get called, which is a joke, by the way. I might be slightly biased, but that boy…” The former EastEnders actor added: “We were half booking flights. That’s how confident we were. And then it turns out he got the call saying no. So it’s a tough weekend for the kid.”

Dyer went on to predict dire consequences for England’s campaign. “Without Jarrod, they’re going to be pony. They’re going to struggle. I don’t think we’ll beat Croatia in the first game. Anyone decent we’ve played, Senegal we lost to, Japan. As soon as he’s had a test, we’ve failed.” He suggested that Arsenal’s Noni Madueke should have been left out instead to make room for Bowen.

The outburst reflects deep frustration inside the Dyer household. Bowen, 29, is married to Dyer’s television-star daughter Dani, and the couple live in Essex with their twin daughters, Summer and Star, and Dani’s son Santi from a previous relationship. The family had been so certain of Bowen’s place in the squad that they had begun making travel arrangements.

Tuchel’s squad selection has already been labelled controversial. The German, appointed as England manager in October 2024 and starting in January 2025, left out high‑profile names including Harry Maguire, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer. Tuchel has argued that tournaments are won by teams, not individuals, and described himself as “a competitor and challenger” for the World Cup. However, Dyer remains unconvinced.

Bowen’s strong form overlooked

Bowen’s exclusion comes despite a season in which he registered nine goals and 11 assists for West Ham, albeit one that ended in relegation from the Premier League after 14 years. He had also played in six of the eight England internationals leading up to Tuchel’s squad announcement, fuelling expectations that he was part of the manager’s plans.

The winger made his England debut in June 2022 and has since earned 22 caps, scoring one goal. He was part of the squad for Euro 2024 – a call‑up that Dyer famously learned about live on talkSPORT. His record at club level includes scoring the winning goal in the 2023 Europa Conference League final, delivering West Ham’s first trophy in 43 years and cementing his status as a club legend.

Yet recent form appears to have counted against him. Reports suggest Bowen’s omission from the 2026 squad was due to a “below par year” and a lack of goals since February, even though he remained second among Englishmen for goal involvements in the Premier League. The timing has been particularly cruel: the relegation blow was compounded by the World Cup rejection, creating what Dyer called a “double whammy”.

Bowen’s role as West Ham captain has only intensified the pain. He has been at the club since 2020 and is contracted until 2030, earning more than £100,000 a week. Following the drop, he said: “I want this club to be in the Premier League. It’s a club that means so much to me and has given me so much, so my vision is to get this club back in the Premier League.”

Relegation and an uncertain future

West Ham’s relegation has thrown Bowen’s immediate future into doubt. A source told The Sun that the forward has been “heavily linked with a move elsewhere, and he is keen to keep testing himself at the very top”. Clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham have been touted as potential destinations. A move to Spurs, however, would feel particularly unpalatable given they survived at West Ham’s expense.

But any transfer would come with significant personal consequences. The same source said: “This could be devastating for Dani, because they might have to relocate.” The couple’s home in Essex is close to the Dyer family, and Dani would face an upheaval if Bowen moved to, say, the north‑west of England. Danny Dyer, a die‑hard West Ham fan, is said to be “absolutely devastated” about the relegation and fears that the club’s chances of promotion will be wrecked if his son‑in‑law departs.

West Ham, for their part, are reportedly determined to keep their captain despite the financial pressure of the Championship. Some insiders suggest the stance may be designed to maximise any potential transfer fee, but Bowen’s commitment to the club remains on record. Whether he stays or goes, the coming weeks will determine whether the Dyer family’s flights to the United States ever get rebooked.