THEO WALCOTT BACKS MARCUS RASHFORD TO START AT WORLD CUP

Former England winger Theo Walcott has named Marcus Rashford as the player he is most eager to watch at the upcoming World Cup. Walcott made the comments on The Wayne Rooney Show, alongside fellow guest Jermain Defoe. Rashford started England's 1-0 friendly victory over New Zealand on Saturday, creating five chances in the first half. Thomas Tuchel substituted all 11 players at half-time, replacing Rashford with Anthony Gordon, a new Barcelona signing.

Rashford was absent from Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad and went without an England appearance for 12 months between March 2024 and 2025. Tuchel reintroduced him to the national set-up and Rashford has featured in every subsequent squad, missing only June 2025 through a hamstring injury. A loan spell at Barcelona produced 14 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances for the La Liga champions. Barcelona hold a clause allowing them to make the transfer permanent for £26 million, with a deadline of 15 June — two days before England open their World Cup campaign against Croatia.

Walcott described Rashford as "a dead cert to start" and said his time in Spain had restored the forward's enjoyment of the game. Wayne Rooney, the show's host and Manchester United's all-time leading scorer, said it was "a shame" Rashford left Old Trafford given his connections to the city. Barcelona have yet to confirm whether they will activate the purchase clause before the deadline expires. Rashford's club future therefore remains unresolved as the World Cup approaches.