Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott has had his say on who he would pick to make up his tournament’s all-time XI.
The winger made his national debut against Andorra 20 years ago, aged just 17 years old. Today, he still holds the record as the youngest player to have made his senior debut for England.
Walcott announced his international retirement in 2016 and has played with and against some of the finest players in the world.
Here is his greatest ever World Cup XI. What do you make of the side?
Gianluigi Buffon, Italy
After his retirement in 2023, Buffon is recognised as one of the greatest goalkeepers to have ever played the game.
The Italian shot-stopper has featured in four world cups, including the 2006 campaign where Italy lifted the Jules Rimet trophy after beating France on penalties.
He conceded just twice in seven games in that campaign and was also awarded the Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper of the tournament.
The 48-year-old has made 176 appearances for the Azzurri, which makes him the all-time leading appearance holder.
Legendary Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon makes it into Theo Walcott’s all-time World Cup XI
Walcott has teamed up with Amazon to celebrate the return of Prime Day, from June 23 to 26
Cafu, Brazil
Born in Sao Paolo, two-time World Cup winner Cafu is hailed as an icon by football fans across the world.
He is the only man to have played in three World Cup finals, where he triumphed against Italy in 1994 and Germany in 2002, but fell short with Brazil after losing to France in 1998.
Cafu has been praised for his work ethic and ‘never say die’ attitude. His talent combined with his passion and love for the game are the reasons why he’s considered one of the greatest full backs ever.
Fabio Cannavaro, Italy
Cannavaro has appeared in four World Cup competitions, tasting success in 2006 alongside Gianluigi Buffon.
After leading Juventus to a Serie A title just weeks before his World Cup winning campaign, he became just the third defender in history to have won the Ballon d’Or award.
The Italians nicknamed him ‘Il Muro di Berlino’ (the Berlin Wall) thanks to his imposing defensive displays, despite being just 5’8.
Now, as the 2026 World Cup looms large, Cannavaro has adopted a different role. He will lead Uzbekistan out to their first global tournament in the history of the country.
Captain Cafu steered Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, having already tasted success in 1994
Fabio Cannavaro guided Italy to a stunning 2006 World Cup triumph, winning the Ballon d’Or
Paolo Maldini, Italy
After making his debut for the Italian national team in 1988, Maldini spent 14 years serving his country. He made an appearance at four different World Cups but never won the trophy.
In 1994 he won his third Champions League title and finished as runner up with Italy in the World Cup.
His performances at both club and international level were so monstrous that he became the first defender ever to win World Soccer magazine’s annual World Player of the Year award.
He is regarded as one of the best defenders of all time, thanks to his supreme reading of the game, talent on both feet and sheer physicality.
Ashley Cole, England
At left back, Walcott opted for his former teammate Ashley Cole who has featured consistently in a number of Premier League all time XIs.
Cole played at five major tournaments for England including three World Cups in 2002, 2006 and 2010. He has made 107 appearances for England and is one of the most capped defenders in his nation’s history. He set a record for going 34 consecutive home appearances without defeat for England.
Cole was also named in the team of the Tournament for the 2004 Euros. Walcott dubbed his ex-teammate as “the best left-back in Premier League history” when speaking to FourFourTwo, which is a statement many would find hard to disagree with. Cole slots in to make up a formidable defensive unit.
His team-mate Paolo Maldini completes an all-Italian centre-back partnership in Walcott’s XI
Ashley Cole is the only Englishman to make Walcott’s XI, having starred at three World Cups
Claude Makelele, France
Onto the midfield, and Makelele pins down the first spot as the engine of the team. He has featured at two World Cups in 2002 and 2006.
Makelele revolutionised the role of a midfielder, dictating a lot of matches with his playmaking from a deep position.
He had incredible defensive awareness and his performances in the 2006 World Cup showcased this, as France reached the final but were beat by Italy.
Makelele is lauded for his impressive physicality and elite understanding of his role on the pitch. He is widely appreciated as one of the greatest French players ever.
Xavi, Spain
Xavi featured at four World Cups during his international career, making 133 appearances in 14 years. He won the FIFA World Youth Championship with Spain in 1999 and 11 years later got his hands on the World Cup trophy after the Spaniards defeated the Dutch.
In the 2010 World Cup he racked up an incredible passing accuracy of 91%, providing the most accurate passes, with 599, in the tournament.
He was named the Euro 2008’s player of the tournament and led Spain to their first bit of silverware since 1964. In 2012 he picked up two assists in Spain’s 4-0 thrashing of Italy to help retain the European Championship for his country.
France legend Claude Makelele (right) revolutionised the role of a defensive midfielder
Xavi was brilliant during Spain’s 2010 World Cup success, boasting the most accurate passes
Zinedine Zidane, France
Next is a man that needs no introduction in Zinedine Zidane.
In 1998 he won the World Cup final against Brazil, scoring two headers in the first half to put the game beyond doubt.
In 2006 he starred in France’s run to the final, with the captain scoring goals against Spain in the round of 16 and Portugal in the semifinals.
A scintillating performance against Brazil in the campaign showed the world why Zidane was one of the best players on the planet.
He scored in the final against Italy from the penalty spot before a headbutt to Marco Materazzi’s chest ended the Frenchman’s involvement. This moment has become one of the most infamous moments in World Cup history.
Zidane scored 31 goals and picked up 29 assists in 108 games.
Lionel Messi, Argentina
After claiming the trophy, he had been chasing all his life at the last campaign in Qatar, Messi looks set to play in his final World Cup in North America this summer.
The little magician was involved in ten of Argentina’s 15 goals at the last tournament in 2022. The two-time Copa America winner has scored 117 goals and provided 64 assists in an illustrious 199 game international career.
Messi’s impact on his teammates was clear to see in Qatar. He was treated as a king, and the Argentinian squad put their bodies on the line for their captain.
His reputation speaks for itself.
Zinedine Zidane inspired France to World Cup glory in 1998 and nearly prevailed again in 2006
Lionel Messi is continuing to take the World Cup by storm this year after winning it in 2022
Ronaldo Nazario, Brazil
Ronaldo Nazario made his debut for the Selecao in 1994. He went on to score 62 goals in 99 appearances for Brazil.
‘O Fenomeno’ was pivotal to Brazil’s success, winning two World Cups in 1994 and 2002, scoring a brace against Germany in the final of the latter.
Ronaldo’s explosive pace, ridiculous skillset and incredible ability to punish teams is what renders him as one of the greatest strikers ever.
Despite his injuries and time out on the sidelines Ronaldo Nazario goes down as one of the deadliest strikers of all time.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
In his 23rd year of international football, Cristiano Ronaldo has recorded the most international appearances, with 227, and the most goals at international level with 143.
Portugal won the 2016 European Championship final against France, in what was a day of mixed emotions for the Portugal captain.
An injury in the first half of the game forced him to be subbed off with the forward visibly distressed. But that did not stop him adopting a player-manager role on the bench, guiding Portugal to their first ever piece of silverware.
The 41-year-old will take on his sixth World Cup campaign joined by Messi and Guillermo Ochoa as the only players to have featured at six or more global tournaments.
As always, all the talk surrounds him as he looks to secure the one trophy that has evaded him his whole career.
Ronaldo Nazario was pivotal to Brazil winning two World Cups in 1994 and 2002
All-time great Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player in football history to score at six World Cups
Theo is teaming up with Amazon to celebrate the return of Prime Day, live from 23rd to 26th June.
Do you agree with Walcott’s XI?
Pick your XI from the shortlist and submit your final selection.
You can then compare it to our Daily Mail football experts.
You can also share your team with your friends and see how your selection compares with thousands of other Mail readers…
