Despite his meteoric rise at Arsenal and the buzz surrounding him this summer, Max Dowman is still only 15 years old and will not be 16 until 31st December 2025. Football Manager’s licensing and safeguarding rules mean that players must be at least 16 by the cut-off date (usually the 1st of September) to be included in the game. Since Dowman does not meet that requirement, he will not be in Football Manager 2026 unless his parents give explicit permission, something that has happened only rarely in the past. So the short answer is no, at least not officially, but there will undoubtedly be unofficial mods provided by the FM community that ensure that Dowman is indeed added into FM26.
The comparison often raised is Dowman’s current Arsenal teammate Martin Odegaard, who was added late into an FM edition after his early breakthrough as a 15 year old in Norway, but that was only possible because parental consent was secured. Unless Arsenal and Dowman’s family go down a similar route, fans will have to wait until FM27, or rely on community-made editor files, to manage the youngster in-game.
It was a similar situation with Ethan Nwaneri, another Arsenal prodigy who famously made his Premier League debut in September 2022 at 15 but didn’t appear in Football Manager until FM24. For Dowman, then, the official inclusion looks like it will have to wait until March 2026 at the earliest, or more likely FM27.
The Rise of Max Dowman
While his FM26 status may be uncertain, what is clear is that Max Dowman is one of the brightest prospects in English football right now. The attacking midfielder has enjoyed a remarkable pre-season with Arsenal, showcasing a maturity beyond his years.
Dowman first caught wider attention when he impressed in a brief cameo during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over AC Milan. That performance earned him a longer run-out against Newcastle United, where he dazzled again. In that game, he won a decisive penalty after Brazilian midfielder Joelinton bundled him over, sealing a 3-2 victory for the Gunners. The Newcastle star even admitted afterward that the teenager “has a bright future.”
For Arsenal supporters, this summer has felt like the beginning of a special journey. Dowman has already been training with the senior squad since he was 14, even joining the club’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai earlier this year. His record at youth level speaks for itself—19 goals and five assists in 23 Under-18 matches last season, with 17 goal involvements coming in the final seven games of the campaign. He also became the youngest scorer at the European Under-17 Championship when he netted against the Czech Republic for England.
Making His Mark in 2025/26
If pre-season hinted at Dowman’s ability, the opening weeks of the 2025/26 season confirmed it. With Arsenal’s squad hit by injuries to Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Kai Havertz, Mikel Arteta turned to the teenager. Coming off the bench in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds United, Dowman became the second-youngest player ever to appear for the club at just 15 years and 234 days old.
Though still bound by strict safeguarding rules—meaning he cannot yet share the senior dressing room—Dowman has shown he belongs on the pitch. His pace, directness, and creativity have already won him admirers within the squad, with Jurrien Timber calling him “a joy to watch” and predicting a long, successful career in north London.
So, will Max Dowman be in FM26? Almost certainly not officially, but likely in community made editor files. But while gamers may need to wait a year or two to manage him virtually, Arsenal fans are already seeing him make an impact in real life. For a player who is still only 15, Dowman’s story is just beginning and if his early performances are anything to go by, both Arsenal fans and FM players will be hearing his name for many years to come.