Michael Owen picks his all-time World Cup XI but who makes the cut?

Consider yourself a World Cup expert? Challenge yourself with our exclusive quiz for free by signing up to our World Cup newsletter. Get it HERERead Michael Owen's big interview and exclusive World Cup columns with Daily Mail Sport from next weekSee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy LUKE AUGUSTUS, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Published: 15:00 BST, 5 June 2026 | Updated: 15:07 BST, 5 June 2026

Michael Owen is the latest high-profile name to pick his all-time World Cup XI ahead of the launch of his exclusive World Cup columns with Daily Mail Sport.It was at this global showpiece 28 years ago where Owen announced himself to the world with that goal against Argentina during England's last-16 penalty shootout defeat.Owen played in a further two World Cups during his career - losing 2-1 in the quarter-finals to eventual champions Brazil in 2002, before a knee injury against Sweden in the group stages curtailed his involvement in 2006.Owen scored 40 goals in 89 caps for his country over a 10-year career and so is well placed to pick an all-time XI.Choosing a 4-2-3-1 formation, the 46-year-old's selection consists of four Brazilians, two Argentines, two Englishmen, one Frenchman, one German and one Italian. They have won a combined 14 World Cups between them.So, who makes the cut?Former England striker Michael Owen has picked his all-time World Cup XI for Daily Mail SportIn goal, Owen picks England's 1966 World Cup-winning shot-stopper Gordon Banks - also acknowledging that stunning save from Pele in the 1970 quarter-final defeat by Brazil. OWEN'S ALL-TIME WORLD CUP XI Formation: 4-2-3-1Goalkeeper: Gordon Banks (England - won 1966 World Cup as a player)Right back: Cafu (Brazil - won 1994 and 2002 World Cup)Centre back: Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany - won 1970 World Cup)Centre back: Paolo Maldini (Italy)Left back: Roberto Carlos (Brazil - won 2002 World Cup)Central midfield: Zinedine Zidane (France - won 1998 World Cup)Central midfield: Sir Bobby Charlton (England - won 1966 World Cup)Attacking midfield: Lionel Messi (Argentina - won 2022 World Cup)Attacking midfield: Pele (Brazil - won 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups)Attacking midfield: Diego Maradona (Argentina - won 1986 World Cup)Striker: Ronaldo (Brazil - won 1994 and 2002 World Cups) His back four contains two Brazilians with the full-back berths going to Cafu (right back) and Roberto Carlos (left back). The pair played beautifully together in tandem during the Selecao's record-extending fifth World Cup triumph in 2002.It's a European cohesion at centre back with Franz Beckenbauer, who captained West Germany to victory in 1974, and Paolo Maldini, who Owen argues is the world's greatest-ever defender, paired together. England icon Bobby Moore was just pipped by Maldini.In midfield it's two attack-minded players, but as caveated by Owen 'who will take the ball off this team?'. Zinedine Zidane, who spearheaded France's success in 1998, is joined by Sir Bobby Charlton - a champion in 1966 alongside Banks.To whet the appetite even more is a fearsome front four. In an even more attacking midfield three ahead of Zidane and Charlton are three-time champion Pele (Brazil - 1958, 1962 and 1970) and Argentina's greatest-ever players in Diego Maradona (1986 winner) and Lionel Messi (victor in 2022).Oh and if that attacking output isn't enough then there is Brazil legend Ronaldo playing up front. Ronaldo, who was a team-mate of Owen's at Real Madrid - as was Zidane, won the World Cup twice with Brazil in 1994 and 2002. He was also the competition's all-time leading scorer with 15 goals in 19 games before Germany's Miroslav Klose surpassed that in 2014.Read Michael Owen's big interview and exclusive World Cup columns with Daily Mail Sport from next week.