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In an exclusive chat with GOAL, Michael Owen selected two standout players from England’s celebrated ‘Golden Generation’ who he believes would strengthen the Three Lions’ 2026 line-up and enhance their chances of lifting the World Cup. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward also reflected on whether present-day stars Harry Kane and Declan Rice could displace legendary figures like Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard from that classic side.

Beckham, Owen, Gerrard & Ferdinand missed out on international silverware

At the dawn of the 21st century, Owen had already made his mark on the international scene as a prodigious 18-year-old in 1998. England, at the time, boasted a squad brimming with world-class players.

Led by Manchester United legend David Beckham, the roster featured top names such as Gerrard, Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. Many believed that group would finally end England’s long wait for a major international trophy.

However, under coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, that promise never translated into success. England suffered agonising defeats in both World Cup and European Championship tournaments, and the country’s quest for silverware has now stretched to six decades.

Which ‘Golden Generation’ players would make England stronger in 2026?

As England prepare for another World Cup challenge in North America, Owen was asked which stars from that golden era could make the biggest difference if they were part of the 2026 squad.

The former England striker, who now serves as a UK ambassador for Casino.org, explained to GOAL: “That’s a great question. My biggest concern is our weakness at the back. I actually think we’re strong in attacking positions. But when you have a player of Steven Gerrard’s quality, you just have to fit him in somewhere.”

He continued, “I’d probably go for Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard as the two who would improve the current team the most. Wayne Rooney was one of England’s greatest ever, but we’re well covered in that area now. To truly elevate this side, I’d bring in Rio and Gerrard.”

Would Kane & Rice make it into the star-studded England teams of old?

Flipping the scenario, Owen was also asked if any current England players could break into that 2002–2006 starting XI. He replied, “That’s a tough one. Football has evolved quite a bit in recent years.”

“Who would get in? Definitely Harry Kane – you’d have to consider him. It’s a close call between Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane. Harry deserves a big mention. Declan Rice would probably have a spot as well, and that might have solved a problem we had back then. We could have played with three central midfielders – Rice, Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard – three from those four would’ve worked perfectly.”

He added, “We always struggled a bit on the left side. Joe Cole was probably the most consistent there, but we tried several players – Paul Scholes, Nick Barmby, Stewart Downing. Maybe that’s still a position where someone from today could fit in.”

“Overall though, I don’t think any of today’s centre-backs would push out the ones we had. Maybe Jordan Pickford could get in, as we never really had a settled goalkeeper. But no one surpasses Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, or Sol Campbell.”

“Is anyone better than Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes, Rooney, or Beckham? Probably not. You could make a case for a few, but it’s very difficult to argue.”

England squad: Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup picks raise eyebrows

Thomas Tuchel’s announcement of England’s 2026 World Cup squad has sparked debate, with several high-profile omissions. Players such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire, Morgan Gibbs-White, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Adam Wharton have all been left out.

Despite the current team perhaps lacking the sheer star power of the ‘Golden Generation’, they still have the opportunity to surpass that era’s achievements. Gareth Southgate previously guided England to a World Cup semi-final and a European Championship final, before handing over managerial duties to Tuchel – a German coach with domestic and UEFA Champions League triumphs already on his resume.