Guinness World Records (GWR), the global authority on record-breaking achievements, today launches Guinness World Records Football Edition 2027, with Arsenal’s Max Dowman kicking off its new Class of ’27 after becoming a three-time Guinness World Records title holder before the age of 17.
The Arsenal teenager has officially achieved the Guinness World Records titles for:
• Youngest football (soccer) player to win the Premier League; 16 years 144 days
• Youngest goalscorer in the football (soccer) English Premier League; 16 years 73 days
• Youngest player in the UEFA Champions League; 15 years 308 days.
Dowman was presented with all three official Guinness World Records certificates during an exclusive presentation at Arsenal, alongside the new Guinness World Records Football Edition 2027, which celebrates his extraordinary rise as the opening player profile in its Class of ’27.
The new book describes Dowman as a player long tipped for great things after training with Arsenal’s first team from the age of 14, and charts his breakthrough into senior football during the 2025/26 season. Dowman’s record-breaking run began while still only 15.
On November 4, 2025, aged just 15 years 308 days, he came on as a second-half substitute for Arsenal against Slavia Praha to become the youngest player in the UEFA Champions League. The appearance made him the first 15-year-old to play in the competition and saw him break the previous benchmark, held by Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko, by 75 days.
His historic rise continued in the Premier League. On March 14, 2026, Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in the football (soccer) English Premier League, aged 16 years 73 days, after scoring for Arsenal against Everton. He then added a third Guinness World Records title at the end of the season, becoming the youngest football (soccer) player to win the Premier League, aged 16 years 144 days.
The three achievements now sit together as a remarkable early-career record for a player, still only 16. Dowman’s achievements have earned him the opening player profile in the Football Edition 2027’s Class of ’27.
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Max Dowman of Arsenal with his Guinness Book of Records Certificates at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 04, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The new section brings together players changing the game in different ways – from teenage talents breaking age records to established stars setting new standards at club and international level.
The 27-player line-up spans the men’s and women’s game and includes some of the biggest names and most exciting emerging talents in world football, including Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, Hannah Hampton, Estêvão Willian, Manaka Matsukubo, Olivia Smith, Linda Caicedo, Trinity Rodman, Jamal Musiala, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé.
From teenage record-breakers taking their first steps in senior football to players already established among the global game’s biggest stars, the Class of ’27 captures a generation making history in real time.
Tom Beckerlegge, Senior Editor of Guinness World Records Football Edition 2027, said: “The youngest player on our list, Max sums up what the Class of ’27 is all about. To have already achieved three Guinness World Records titles before turning 17 is extraordinary, and his story captures exactly why this generation of players is so exciting.
“Football never stands still. Records are broken, new stars emerge and every season brings fresh moments of genius that light up the game. The Guinness World Records Football Edition 2027 celebrates all of that – from the biggest stars in world football to the young players whose stories are only just beginning.”
Guinness World Records Football Edition 2027 is available in stores and online from Thursday, October 8, priced £12.99. For a full list of retailers visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com/products/books.
