Noni Madueke refuses to sulk after Carabao Cup final defeat, targets England World Cup spot

Noni Madueke has quickly shifted his attention to the international stage fresh from the disappointment of a domestic cup final loss, insisting there is no room for self-pity as he targets a place in England national football team’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

The Arsenal winger has been included in Thomas Tuchel’s provisional 35-man group and now faces a crucial window to stake his claim ahead of final selections.

England’s scheduled friendlies against Japan and Uruguay present an immediate opportunity for Madueke to impress the technical team.

With competition for attacking roles intensifying, the 23-year-old understands that consistent performances, rather than reputation, will determine his place on the plane.

“Listen, my focus now is on England for sure. Of course it’s difficult, those type of games (losing the Carabao Cup final) but you take it in your stride, you can’t sulk, you have to carry on,” Madueke said.

His comments reflect a player intent on demonstrating resilience, a quality often demanded at both club and international level. The winger acknowledged the emotional toll of recent setbacks but emphasised the need to respond immediately, particularly with the stakes surrounding national team selection.

“We’ve got important games for England coming up, which I’m fully focused on to try and do my best and when we get back to club it’ll be the final push to try and finish where we want to,” he added.

Madueke’s inclusion in the expanded squad suggests he remains firmly in contention, but his place is far from guaranteed. England’s attacking depth means players must deliver in limited opportunities, and the upcoming fixtures could prove decisive in shaping Tuchel’s final list.

“In terms of my mindset, when you play at the highest level for England and for club, you need to have that mindset of trying to just do your best and compete and help your team win,” he noted.

While the prospect of featuring at the World Cup inevitably lingers, Madueke insists his approach remains grounded in performance rather than speculation.

“In terms of World Cup places, I don’t really think too much about that. I just try to do my best whenever I’m on the pitch and everything will play out how it’s meant to.”