World Cup Draft: Picking our Best XIs ever... with a twist

Summary

The Athletic FC Podcast

Episode Summary: World Cup Draft – Picking our Best XIs Ever... With a Twist

Date: June 4, 2026
Host: Duncan Alexander (for Adam Leventhal)
Panelists: Olly Kay, Jack Lang, Karl Anker, Felipe Cárdenas

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Episode Overview

This special episode kicks off The Athletic's 2026 World Cup coverage in a unique style: the ultimate World Cup all-time draft. Four expert writers compete—using a snake draft format—to create the greatest possible starting elevens with one key caveat: every pick must be based on that player’s World Cup performances, not overall legacy. Twists come in the form of wildcards (pick a Golden Boot winner, pick a CONCACAF player, pick a long-haired player, etc.), and discussion is peppered with sharp banter, tactical dilemmas, and affectionate football nerdiness.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Draft Rules and Setup

• Formation: Encouraged to pick sensible formations, but with freedom to experiment.
• Eligible Players: Any male player from the 1930 to 2022 tournaments; picking is based strictly on World Cup impact and moments.
• Snake Draft Order: Determined by rock-paper-scissors, starting with Jack Lang.
• Wildcards: Certain rounds disrupted by thematic requirements (e.g., Golden Boot winner, player from CONCACAF, long hair).
• Managers: Selected after all eleven players.

2. Opening Picks and Formation Philosophies

• [06:05] Round 1 (superstars off the board immediately):

  • Jack: Pele (forward) – “the only player to have won the World Cup three times.”
  • Felipe: Diego Maradona (attacker/10)
  • Olly: Franz Beckenbauer (defender/midfielder)
  • Karl: Lionel Messi (forward)

  "There's a ripping of paper already. That's how decisive that moment was." — Duncan Alexander (04:10)

  • [06:25] Jack shrugs at sticking to a formation: “My formation is a fluid concept that develops over the next two hours, Felipe.”
  • [06:56] Felipe sticks with classic “4-4-2… nice and classic.”

3. Early Draft Patterns and Panelist Strategies

• Jack leans heavily into Brazil’s World Cup history: Pele, Garrincha, Cafu, Nilton Santos; “I really feel Jack Lang’s going to create a mini fiefdom of Brazilian players here.” — Karl Anker (09:39)
• Olly methodically builds a “spine” (Beckenbauer, Baresi, Eusebio, Cruyff, later Maldini); focus on versatility and leadership.
• Karl pairs superstars (Messi, Müller) with defense first (Cannavaro, Thuram), later adding functional midfielders (Modric, Vieira).
• Felipe opts for ‘big moments’ attackers, creative South Americans, and tough midfielders.

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4. Wildcard Rounds and Their Impact

Golden Boot Winner Wildcard

([10:45]–[13:55])
Panelists must select a World Cup Golden Boot winner:

• Choices:
  • Jack: Kylian Mbappé (“12 goals in 14 matches.” [12:08])
  • Felipe: Hristo Stoichkov (“That’s naughty. That’s lethal.” — Duncan/Roundtable [12:46])
  • Olly: Eusebio (“Pre–San Marino and Faroe Islands era! One of the great goal scorers.” [12:55])
  • Karl: Gerd Müller (“Going for a penalty box demon. Gerd Müller.” [13:55])

CONCACAF Wildcard

([24:39]–[29:45])
A nod to the 2026 hosts— pick from North/Central America.

• Choices:
  • Karl: Antonio Carbajal, Mexico (historic five-time participant)
  • Olly: Rafael Márquez, Mexico (“absolute sort of permanent fixture in the Mexican teams.” [27:00])
  • Felipe: Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico (“He is known for showing up in the big moments.” [28:28])
  • Jack: Jorge Campos, Mexico (style, vibes, and iconic kits—plus, “made some fantastic saves.” [29:42])

Long Hair Wildcard

([38:13]–[42:41])
Select a player whose shoulder-length locks are as legendary as their World Cup impact.

• Choices:
  • Jack: Andrea Pirlo (“Absolutely unbelievable.” [39:59])
  • Felipe: Carlos Valderrama (“That was the biggest his hair ever was, I think.” [41:26])
  • Olly: Socrates (iconic headband and poise)
  • Karl: Roberto Baggio (“The divine ponytail.”)

"Different Nation" Final Pick

([50:20]–[55:00])
Pick a player from a country you haven’t chosen yet for your final spot.

• Notable debates:
  • Jack: Andrés Iniesta (Spain, “very often used from the left in Spain’s World Cup win” [51:32])
  • Felipe: Frank Rijkaard (Netherlands, “sometimes you want a player that you think might potentially spit on you.” [51:55])
  • Olly: Lev Yashin (USSR/Russia, “regarded as the number one goalkeeper in world football.” [53:59])
  • Karl: Wim Suurbier (Netherlands, total football, tactical fluidity)

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5. Memorable Quotes & Banter

• [04:08] Felipe on Jack’s first pick: “I cannot wait to see who he chooses first.”
• [08:48] Olly on picking Cruyff: “He might not even join the camp. 1978, but one of the great footballers of all time. I’m happy to have got him.”
• [13:58] Karl on Müller: “When his team was out of possession, he was in airplane mode. When his team was in possession, he wanted the ball and he was going to smash it.”
• [17:19] Karl on Matthäus: “8 out of 10. Everything you want for a midfielder.”
• [34:39] Jack (after seven picks): “I haven’t got any midfield.”
• [42:17] Karl picking Baggio: “No, I’m going for the divine ponytail Roberto Baggio.”
• [63:53] Jack reflecting: “I will say in my team’s favor—everyone’s in their preferred position. [63:24] …I’m reasonably happy with that until Ollie reads his out.”

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6. Surprise Omissions

([55:57]–[58:41])

• No Paolo Rossi, Just Fontaine, Chavy, Tony Kroos, Gentile, or even Cristiano Ronaldo.
• Felipe: “Romario for me is one of the top players that did not make it into anybody’s starting XI.”
• Karl: “No African players, unfortunately... JJ Okocha, Samuel Eto’o… even Harry Kane was in my contingency plans.”

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7. Managers Selected

([59:57]–[62:32])

• Karl: Didier Deschamps (“About structure, organization, making sure the vibes in camp are fantastic.” [60:01])
• Olly: Franz Beckenbauer (player-manager, “maybe Cruyff would listen to him more than most.” [61:11])
• Felipe: Carlos Bilardo (Argentina 1986, “the manager who could extract greatness from Maradona.” [62:06])
• Jack: Mario Zagallo (“created some of the most aesthetically pleasing football ever seen at the World Cup in 1970.” [62:19])

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Final Squads and Reflections

Jack Lang

Formation: 4-2-3-1
Team:

• GK: Jorge Campos
• DF: Cafu, Gaetano Scirea, Bobby Moore, Nilton Santos
• MF: Andrea Pirlo, Johan Neeskens
• RW: Garrincha
• LW: Andrés Iniesta
• AM: Pelé
• ST: Kylian Mbappé
  Manager: Mario Zagallo

“I will say in my team’s favor, everyone’s in their preferred position. Iniesta can drop in and combine, Garrincha can do his dribbles and Pelé and Mbappé would just have a lot of fun.” [63:26]

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Felipe Cárdenas

Formation: Shifted from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3
Team:

• GK: Guillermo Ochoa
• DF: Jorginho, Daniel Passarella, Fernando Hierro, Andreas Brehme
• MF: Frank Rijkaard, Lothar Matthäus, Carlos Valderrama
• FW: Hristo Stoichkov, Ronaldo Nazário (R9), Diego Maradona
  Manager: Carlos Bilardo

“You get by Rijkaard, you’re going to get hurt. …My front three: Maradona, R9, Stoichkov. I will die on this hill as the top front three in World Cup draft history.” [65:53]

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Olly Kay

Formation: Hybrid—possibly 4-2-2-2 // lacks width
Team:

• GK: Lev Yashin
• DF: Carlos Alberto, Rafael Márquez, Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini
• MF: Franz Beckenbauer, Socrates, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini
• FW: Eusebio, Jairzinho
  Manager: Franz Beckenbauer (player-manager)

“Not going to concede many goals... It’s good. It’s just—Yeah. Formation is probably sort of 4-2-2-2.” [67:28]

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Karl Anker

Formation: 4-3-3
Team:

• GK: Antonio Carbajal
• DF: Wim Suurbier, Fabio Cannavaro, Lilian Thuram, Gianluca Zambrotta
• MF: Luka Modric, Patrick Vieira, Roberto Baggio
• FW: Lionel Messi, Gerd Müller, Rivaldo
  Manager: Didier Deschamps

“My back four... maybe a little problem with width... But I’ve got Zambrotta and Cannavaro, they know each other, they won a World Cup together… My midfield is Modric, Vieira, Baggio… My front three is Rivaldo, Müller and Messi. If I have a problem it’s—I only have one ball.” [69:40]

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Audience Takeaways

• The panel’s football intelligence and humor make for a lively rapid-fire draft, with constant tactical debate.
• Wildcard rounds successfully disrupt straightforward “best-ever” lists, forcing creativity and open admiration for World Cup legends from all eras and continents.
• Major omissions reveal the sheer depth of World Cup history—no matter how many rounds, some icons must miss out.
• The episode is rich with reverence for tactical evolution, eccentric talents, and pure vibes.

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Notable Moments and Quotes: Timestamps

• [05:14] “I will allow Maradona at left wing back.” — Karl Anker
• [09:39] “Jack Lang’s going to create a mini fiefdom of Brazilian players here.”
• [13:55] Karl’s Gerd Müller monologue: “Airplane mode” when defending, “he wanted the ball and he was going to smash it” in attack.
• [17:19] “8 out of 10. Everything you want for a midfielder.” — Karl on Lothar Matthäus
• [39:59] “I will go for Andrea Pirlo, who was absolutely unbelievable as Italy.”
• [51:55] “Sometimes you also want a player in the middle that you think might potentially spit on you.” — Felipe on Frank Rijkaard
• [63:24] “Everyone’s in their preferred position.” — Jack Lang
• [69:40] “If I do have a problem it’s—I only have one ball.” — Karl, with Messi, Müller, Rivaldo, Baggio

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Final Reflection: Football Nostalgia & Ultimate Pub Debating Fuel

The draft produces fascinating, ludicrous line-ups and exposes the joy and pain of all-star selection: for every legend picked, another legend is left out. Whether your heart lies with Brazil 1970, Italy’s defensive triumphs, or the flair of World Cup outsiders, this episode delivers a compelling, irreverent tribute to the tournament’s unmatchable magic.

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For more draft drama, tactical wrangling, and World Cup celebration, stay tuned to The Athletic FC Podcast throughout 2026’s “biggest show on earth.”

Transcript

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[Adam Leventhal]

welcome to the Athletic FC Podcast with me, Adam Leventhal. So our World cup coverage starts right here we're going to be bringing you the very best news and insight into the biggest show on earth all the way up until the final in New Jersey. And we've got plenty between now and the start of the tournament for you to enjoy. And just to get you prepared for that feast of football today, we're attempting to build an all time World cup draft. From Yelev Yashins to Joaquillian Mbappes, our expert writers are going to build the Ultimate 11 spanning all 32 editions of the competition. It's quite some undertaking. And taking you through it is your host, Duncan Alexander.

[Duncan Alexander]

With me are four brilliant minds from the athletic Olly Kay.

[Olly Kay]

Hello.

[Duncan Alexander]

Jet Lang.

[Jack Lang]

Hi.

[Duncan Alexander]

Karl Anker.

[Karl Anker]

Hello there.

[Duncan Alexander]

And Felipe Cardness.

[Felipe Cardness]

Hello, gents.

[Duncan Alexander]

First off, let's discuss the order we're gonna do this draft. I think given we're sat in a rough horseshoe shape here, probably fairest to go back one way and then back the other. So that means starting with Karl, through to Ollie, to Felipe, to Jack or vice versa. So I think given you two are on the end, why don't we do Rock Paper scissors to decide who starts between Karl and Jack. Ready?

[Jack Lang]

On after three.

[Duncan Alexander]

After three.

[Karl Anker]

One, two, three, shoot.

[Jack Lang]

The gentleman's method.

[Duncan Alexander]

Okay.

[Karl Anker]

One, two, three, shoot.

[Duncan Alexander]

So we start with Jack.

[Felipe Cardness]

Oh, wow.

[Karl Anker]

Oh no.

[Duncan Alexander]

Unlucky Carl.

[Felipe Cardness]

Jack.

[Karl Anker]

Okay.

[Felipe Cardness]

I cannot wait to see who he chooses first.

[Duncan Alexander]

There's a ripping of paper already. That's how decisive that moment was. Each participant is going to have 60 seconds per pick to lock in your player. Your picks are obviously going to be based on World cup performances from 1930 all the way through to 2022. There are no restrictions on the number of players you can have from any tournament or nation. So if you wanted to pick the entire Brazil 1950 team, you could, Jack, but I wouldn't necessarily advise it. I have the power as the commissioner to insert wild card rounds at any point. When I'm. I'll be honest, I'm planning to do so. So look out for those. Please pick a sensible formation and call out the player and their position as you go along. We don't want a team of eight midfielders. No. You know, tempting but wrong when it

[Jack Lang]

comes to the sensibleness of the.

[Karl Anker]

He's going 424, isn't he?

[Jack Lang]

No, I don't mind that. But I assume this is going to be self policing. Like if some. If someone ends up having Maradona at left wing back, the scorn within this room is gonna.

[Karl Anker]

I will, I will allow Maradona at left wing back.

[Jack Lang]

Oh, my God, it's gluttonous.

[Karl Anker]

I would. I would wonder why you're doing that. But if you want to. If you want to skip leg day and pack your entire team full of attackers to a 424, go for it.

[Jack Lang]

Okay. I'm gonna behave with class.

[Duncan Alexander]

I mean, obviously some of the formations available in the 1930s may be quite useful.

[Olly Kay]

And yeah, just as you say, it's about World cup performance. It's not necessarily the greatest players you've ever seen, Correct?

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah. It's impact at World Cups or even just memories.

[Olly Kay]

Okay.

[Duncan Alexander]

And finally, don't forget to nominate a manager. We'll do those at the end of this very exciting process. So let's get into it. I'm going to put 60 seconds on the clock, slash, phone. And Jack, you're first up. So here we go.

[Jack Lang]

Drumroll. I'm going to pick the only player to have won the World cup three times, which is Pele, and he is a forward. I can decide later whether he is my number nine or playing just off my number nine.

[Duncan Alexander]

I see. Well, Pele's.

[Felipe Cardness]

What is your formation, Jack? What? What is Jack's formation?

[Jack Lang]

My formation is a fluid concept that develops over the course of the next two hours. Felipe.

[Karl Anker]

Oh, all right then. Okay.

[Duncan Alexander]

Okay, Felipe, you're next up.

[Felipe Cardness]

Oh, my gosh, I'm next. Oh, wow. Okay, so my formation is a 4, 4, 2. A very traditional, nice and classic 4, 4, 2. Okay. I mean, if he's. If he's taking Pele, I'm going to take Diego Armando Maradona. I'll take him. El Diaz, El Dios.

[Duncan Alexander]

I mean, who could have foreseen that Pele and Maradona have gone else, but they have ole left wing back.

[Olly Kay]

I am going to go more. A little more left field, I think. But. But there is a method behind my madness. I'm going to go for Franz Beckenbau.

[Karl Anker]

Wow.

[Olly Kay]

Who.

[Karl Anker]

Good call.

[Olly Kay]

Is one of the ultimate World cup players and has the advantage of being versatile.

[Felipe Cardness]

Ollie, you should also choose him as your manager.

[Olly Kay]

Just.

[Felipe Cardness]

Just. Why not?

[Olly Kay]

I have the option player manager, Carl.

[Karl Anker]

I honestly can't believe he'd still be available on the first pick. But for the first pick of the 2026 World cup draft, Carl Anchor Corporation selects Lionel Messi.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, all good, Good choice. And due to the vagaries of this system, you now have another choice.

[Jack Lang]

I sense the disagreements are going to come later, aren't they, Messi? Are you.

[Duncan Alexander]

This is very much the jogging round the stadium element now.

[Karl Anker]

I Have a genuine game changer up front. I need a tempo setting. Centre back. Beckenbauer is already gone. I am going for Fabio Carnavara.

[Duncan Alexander]

I'm playing himself.

[Karl Anker]

3.

[Felipe Cardness]

3.

[Jack Lang]

I'm amazed that you guys are choosing your formations so early. So many. So many variables.

[Duncan Alexander]

The people who have done that can, if they are left.

[Jack Lang]

Oh, yeah. I won't hold them to it with

[Duncan Alexander]

a litany of machines.

[Felipe Cardness]

It helped me in the planning phase. It actually helped me plan to stick to a formation. So.

[Duncan Alexander]

All right, back to you, Ollie.

[Olly Kay]

I will go for Johan Cruyff on the basis again, versatility. He's going to give me options later on.

[Karl Anker]

Is he going to listen to you though?

[Olly Kay]

He might not even join the camp. 1978, but one of the great footballers of all time. I'm happy to have got him.

[Duncan Alexander]

Excellent choice indeed. Felipe, you're next.

[Felipe Cardness]

I can't believe he's still on the board, But I'm taking R9 as one of my two center forwards. Ronaldo Nasario, phenomenal.

[Karl Anker]

Excellent choice.

[Duncan Alexander]

Very good choice, Jack.

[Jack Lang]

Two in a row, isn't it? And I had about six or seven players outlined that I would be happy to take. First two picks. One of them is still available and that is Garrincha.

[Duncan Alexander]

I mean, I've never seen a more inevitable thing.

[Jack Lang]

I'm so happy.

[Olly Kay]

Yeah.

[Felipe Cardness]

He's life.

[Duncan Alexander]

He's the music, my boy.

[Karl Anker]

I really feel Jack Lang's gonna create a mini fiefdom of Brazilian players here.

[Jack Lang]

Hey, wait till you see who I'm picking next.

[Duncan Alexander]

Do you want to give it a 20 second bio of this man for

[Jack Lang]

people that may not? Yeah. Born with one leg shorter than another twisted one leg twisted in one twisted outwards. 12 World Cups back to back with Brazil, and particularly in 1962 when Pele got injured halfway through, he was the star of the show and one of the great World cup entertainers.

[Karl Anker]

One of the theories was, well, going from the highlights. He could get incredible curve on the ball and apparently the difference in leg strength and height apparently might have been a reason behind this.

[Jack Lang]

I think that may be a stretch, but I'm happy with it.

[Karl Anker]

Was one of the legends. There's another legend that I will not repeat on this podcast.

[Jack Lang]

But y. But yeah, very an amazing World cup player. He was.

[Karl Anker]

Yes. The word goat has will be used a lot through this podcast.

[Jack Lang]

Okay. And I'm gonna get to go again.

[Duncan Alexander]

Well, hang on, hang on, hang on.

[Karl Anker]

Oh, it could.

[Duncan Alexander]

They're saying the rumors are flying that it could be wild card time. And yes, it is. So for this round, I want you to pick a Golden Boot or Golden Shoe winner.

[Karl Anker]

Oh, and Ronaldo's already off the board. No.

[Jack Lang]

So he was.

[Karl Anker]

He was a Golden Boot winner.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, he won it into the. In 2002.

[Karl Anker]

He was. Yes. Regional is off the board and we need a Golden Boot winner.

[Jack Lang]

Okay.

[Felipe Cardness]

Okay.

[Duncan Alexander]

So it is. It does go back to Jack, who has. Let's. Let's just reiterate, already chosen two Brazilians.

[Jack Lang]

I've got my little post it note of relevant Golden Boot winners here somewhere relevant. Someone else.

[Karl Anker]

Scathing review here.

[Jack Lang]

Okay. Gincha is also taken by me. Ronaldo is taken. So my next pick, I was planning to actually have a defender, but not many defenders on this list, let me tell you that.

[Duncan Alexander]

So I reckon Oleg Solenko could keep

[Karl Anker]

it out, give it a go.

[Jack Lang]

It's already, to me looking a lot like Pele will be playing off the front, which is fine because he did that very often. And so my Golden Boot winner is going to be.

[Karl Anker]

Do it. Be brave. Say his name.

[Duncan Alexander]

Remember, the minute you're. You're stretching very close.

[Jack Lang]

Okay, It's a coin toss between two, and I'm gonna go for Kylian Mbappe.

[Karl Anker]

Huge.

[Jack Lang]

12 goals in 14.

[Felipe Cardness]

You did not take my guy.

[Lowe's Ad Voice]

Yes.

[Jack Lang]

Matches with apologies to the other guy I could have had.

[Karl Anker]

Felipe's chilling.

[Duncan Alexander]

He's never too far happy by that decision.

[Olly Kay]

I'm happy with that.

[Duncan Alexander]

So I'm very happy with that decision.

[Felipe Cardness]

Yes, yes, I am very happy with that decision because I, you know, I was taking. I was going to choose this player regardless. And when you gave me the curveball of the, the, the, the wild card, I was like, oh, my gosh, yes, he still fits, right? So I'm taking the one and only Christros Stoichkov and I'm putting him up top. Like

[Duncan Alexander]

that is. That's naughty.

[Karl Anker]

That's lethal.

[Duncan Alexander]

That's a lovely choice. I didn't see that coming, I've got to say, but I, I like it.

[Jack Lang]

No, well, I think Ollie's happy.

[Olly Kay]

I'm. I'm happy. I'm. I'm. I'm gonna go with Eusebio, who was the, the Golden Boot winner of the 1966 World Cup. He scored 41 international goals in a. In a pre. Ferro Islands, San Marino, Liechtenstein. Era. One of the great goal scorers. One of the great World cup goal scorers. More than happy to have it.

[Duncan Alexander]

Nice. Carl, who you going for?

[Karl Anker]

I'm worried here because you can go for two flavors. You can either go for an attacking Player who can offer you stuff outside of the penalty area as well. Or you can just go for a pure penalty box. Animal, monster, demon.

[Jack Lang]

Remind us who you've got so far.

[Karl Anker]

I've got Lionel Messi in my team and if you've got Messi in there, that can supply a lot of bullets for someone. Or I could get someone into dovetail, drop into a 10 position and help out too. This is me stalling.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, very, very obvious.

[Karl Anker]

Very obvious stalling. I'm going for a penalty box demon. I'm going for Gerd Muller.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, okay. Lovely stuff.

[Jack Lang]

He was my other guy.

[Karl Anker]

10 goals in the 1970 World Cup. 1 of my favorite ever images of Muller is, I believe it's when he's playing. I can't remember the team he's playing for, but his team is in possession taking a free kick and the moment the ball is crossed over the wall, Muller is already bearing down on goal. Look, when his team was out of possession, he was in airplane mode. But when his team was in possession, he wanted the ball and he was going to smash it. Top bins or bottom bins?

[Duncan Alexander]

They all sometimes even middle bins. Yeah, there you go.

[Karl Anker]

Okay, elusive middle bins.

[Duncan Alexander]

Here's where we are. Everyone's chosen three players so far. Jack's got Pele, Garrincha and Kylian Mbappe. Felipe's got Maradona, Stoichkov and original Ronaldo, which is a very nice looking trio. Oli's got Beckenbauer, Eusebio and Johan Cruyff. And Karl's got Lionel Messi, Fabio Cannavaro and Gerd Muller. I mean, four teams already looking quite, you know, turns out there's some good players at work.

[Jack Lang]

I'm jealous of Ole because that's a spine. Yeah, you've got a spine right there.

[Olly Kay]

There we go.

[Karl Anker]

I'm interested. How is Felipe going to make this work in a 4, 4, 2? Where is Maradona playing now?

[Duncan Alexander]

He doesn't remember. He doesn't have to stick with his 4, 4, 2 if he wants to.

[Felipe Cardness]

But right now, I mean, I have a number 10 and more of a central attacking midfielder ahead of my 10. So right now that's where I have Maradona. All right, so I still need a 10.

[Duncan Alexander]

True.

[Karl Anker]

You've got Maradona. You need a 10.

[Jack Lang]

You need a 10, sir.

[Duncan Alexander]

Okay, right onto the fourth round of picks here and Carl, it's back to you.

[Karl Anker]

Free for all.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yep. This is an open round with the

[Karl Anker]

fourth selection of the 2016 26. I don't know, 16. I am going to go for. Can we get.

[Felipe Cardness]

Can we get time tapping?

[Karl Anker]

Yeah, I know, I know.

[Duncan Alexander]

You've got 10 seconds before the clock.

[Karl Anker]

I'm going for Luka Modric.

[Duncan Alexander]

Okay, Luka Modric.

[Karl Anker]

I'm going for Luka Modric. He's going to be my slightly deeper player. Big call there. 2020, 2018.

[Duncan Alexander]

Played in both the 1930 and 2022 World Cups.

[Karl Anker]

I'm flustered. Can you tell?

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, well, you know, it's in his head.

[Olly Kay]

Okay, Ollie, I'm gonna stick with my spinal focus and I'm gonna go for Franco Baresi.

[Karl Anker]

Oh, excellent.

[Olly Kay]

Who.

[Felipe Cardness]

Oh, took my gun.

[Olly Kay]

He's again, a classic World cup player. I mean, he was one of the stars in 1990 in particular, incredible performance in a final in 1994 against Brazil. Coming back from injury didn't deserve to suffer the same fate as Diana Ross by missing a penalty in the Rose Bowl. So, yeah, Fraca Baresi.

[Duncan Alexander]

Very nice. Felipe, you were audibly unhappy or sad at that choice from Oli there. So is that that snaffer one of your options?

[Felipe Cardness]

It does. I. I had Franco Bursi as one of my top defenders. 100%. Probably my top defender there. So with Ali having taken. Having taken the. The Italian legend, I'm going to drop down a little bit into my midfield. I need some muscle, I need some speed, some attitude and a bit of box to box movement here. So I am taking former German captain Lotar Mateos.

[Karl Anker]

Very good call.

[Duncan Alexander]

Oh, again, very versatile.

[Karl Anker]

All rounder. 8 out of 10. Everything you want for a midfielder.

[Duncan Alexander]

And I know we're not talking about the Euros at all here, but he did play in Euro 80 and Euro 2000, so that is genuine.

[Olly Kay]

Yeah.

[Duncan Alexander]

Okay. Good choice from Felipe there. Jack, it's back to you. What Brazilian are you going to pick this time?

[Jack Lang]

I'll tell you what. Yeah, I mean, the risk with these things is always that we're more biased towards the modern era. But my team may well get very biased towards the 1950s and 60s here because my midfield may get quite Brazilian. But do I also need a defender? In fact, what I'm going to do first is I'm going to take C. Sure. Played in five World Cups. One two Captain in one of them. One of the World cup greats. Are we going wild card or may I. No, may I continue?

[Duncan Alexander]

I mean, I'm hoping for a little bit more variety, but yeah, we can continue.

[Karl Anker]

Have you picked all Brazilians?

[Duncan Alexander]

No, he's got Mbappe.

[Jack Lang]

I've got Mbappe.

[Duncan Alexander]

Okay, look, the new Pele.

[Jack Lang]

If all these other guys are overlooking the Brazil, I would have taken Matthias actually. But now I can't do that. So I will. I think I need a defender at this stage and I will take probably One of the two standout defenders in Italy's successful 82 campaign. Played in a couple of others too. And that is Gaetano Shiraya.

[Felipe Cardness]

Oh, yes, good name.

[Duncan Alexander]

That is a hipster choice, but a good choice.

[Karl Anker]

It's the Jack Lang choice.

[Felipe Cardness]

Very hipster.

[Karl Anker]

You might not have heard of it, but the moment you're introduced to it, I take it you'll love it.

[Jack Lang]

Yeah, ask James Horncastle. I'll tell you all about my boy Shireya.

[Duncan Alexander]

Lovely stuff. Okay, Felipe, it's back to you.

[Felipe Cardness]

Okay, so I'm also, I'm also thinking defenders here and I'm actually in thinking Brazilian for my, my right back. But I also have an opportunity here to take an Italian. I love Christian Panucci, I think he's a great right back. But I'm going to go with 1994 World cup winner Jorginho as my right fullback.

[Duncan Alexander]

Very nice.

[Olly Kay]

And I am going. I'm staggered he hasn't been taken and I'm wondering whether I'm sort of spiting myself by taking by focusing yet again on defense. But I think I might do it in order to spite everybody else. Paolo Maldonian, just play, play him at left back. So there we go.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, I mean Carly seemed very pained by that.

[Jack Lang]

Our first head in hands moment is

[Duncan Alexander]

that he was my next choice.

[Lowe's Ad Voice]

He was right there.

[Duncan Alexander]

Oh no. You pick his dad.

[Karl Anker]

I could.

[Olly Kay]

Or his son.

[Karl Anker]

Yeah, yeah. Fair play. Well done.

[Duncan Alexander]

Okay.

[Karl Anker]

All right, I'm calm.

[Duncan Alexander]

You gonna go for.

[Karl Anker]

If you're picking a center back, you can go left back. I should pick a center back and go right back or am I just getting too trapped inside my head?

[Duncan Alexander]

Bad on deflections. But yeah,

[Karl Anker]

I've got a sneaky pick that a. A wild card is coming. So I need to pick good and nice. And now Lilian Thuram, you are up.

[Duncan Alexander]

Solid. Very good choice.

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[Duncan Alexander]

Okay, that completes everyone's fifth round. And what's that klaxon I can hear in the distance? Surely is. It's the. It's the wild card claxon. And this time, given that this year's World cup is going to be held in not only usa, Mexico, but also Canada, you've got to pick a CONCACAF player for this round.

[Jack Lang]

Oh, damn. And I'm last of the four.

[Duncan Alexander]

Oh, sorry, Jack.

[Karl Anker]

Oh, man.

[Duncan Alexander]

Have Brazil just entered concacaf? We can't be sure, but we don't think so.

[Felipe Cardness]

I mean, I'll help. I can help my colleagues here. As a CONCACAF ball knower, there's a lot of good names here, especially if you need a striker. There's a lot of good names.

[Jack Lang]

That's my issue. I don't need a striker.

[Felipe Cardness]

There's some. Well, no, I don't want to say.

[Jack Lang]

Yeah, there is. I mean, there's one.

[Olly Kay]

There are some good names, but there's also the likelihood that when people see our lineups that these are the players who stick out like a sore thumb.

[Duncan Alexander]

Okay, Carl, you have first pick for this wildcard CONCACAF special. Who are you going for?

[Karl Anker]

I'll be honest with you. Once this was landed on me, I immediately opened up a tab on my computer of just greatest Mexican players of all time. I think that's the obvious play to go there. I haven't picked a goalkeeper yet. And Mexico have two historically brilliant goalkeepers that have been to multiple World cup tournaments. I'm going to go for Antonio Carbajal. Felipe, please correct me if I got the pronunciation wrong there.

[Felipe Cardness]

Yes.

[Karl Anker]

Carvajal was the first gentleman to feature at five World Cups, according to what I'm reading right now. So I'm going to go for him. I'm going for a goalkeeper. I'm going for a goalkeeper who's been there, done that, and got the T shirt. And got the T shirt.

[Duncan Alexander]

Multiple T shirts.

[Karl Anker]

1966 World cup was his final World cup at the age of 37. We're talking a veteran experience here, so, yeah, solid. Let's do that.

[Duncan Alexander]

All right, Oli you're up.

[Olly Kay]

I was second guessing you there and I thought you might go for a striker and I was preparing to pick a defender. Yet another one. And I am going to pick a defender. So I'm leaving the obvious centre forward for somebody else.

[Karl Anker]

See, what he's doing there is he's planting seeds of doubt in everyone else's mind.

[Olly Kay]

Absolutely.

[Karl Anker]

Don't fall for it.

[Olly Kay]

Mind games of all sorts. I'm gonna go for Rafael Marquez, who played in five World Cups. Was he captain in five World Cups? He was certainly, I think, I think he may have been, but an absolute sort of permanent fixture in the Mexican teams that consistently got to the last 16.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, I think he played. I think he got to the run of 16 in all five.

[Olly Kay]

Yeah, yeah.

[Duncan Alexander]

So if he won four games out of a man at a World cup,

[Olly Kay]

he is absolutely, absolutely. And a Champions League winner. So. Yeah. There we go.

[Duncan Alexander]

Cool. Felipe, I'm expecting big things here.

[Felipe Cardness]

It's. I mean, first of all, El Kaiser, that's Rafa Marcus's nickname. It's a great, great pick from Molly there. One of the best CONCACAF players, I think, in World cup history. I'm sticking with Mexico. Again, this was definitely a wild card because I did not want to choose my goalkeeper out of the CONCACAF region. But I'm going to just like Carl and it's between two guys. I mean, I'm going to go with a current player who has become a World cup icon and that is Guillermo. Memo Ochoa. I will go with him. He is set to play in his sixth World cup or at least be part of a sixth World Cup. He is known for showing up in the big moments when Mexico gets to World Cup. So he's going to be my goalkeeper. Memo Ochoa.

[Duncan Alexander]

Very nice. Interesting that there's already been two goalkeepers in this, in this round, Jack.

[Jack Lang]

We're gonna have a third. Duncan, Sorry about that. I would have had Marquez, I would have probably had Ochoa. As it stands, my little short list of CONCACAF players which was pre prepared, there are options. Javier Hernandez scored at three World Cups, but I'm pretty well served up front. Same would apply for London Donovan and Clint Dempsey. And so it comes to me between two players who won a lot of longevity and Andres Gualdado who's played at five World Cups. But he's not, he just doesn't have the status for me. Whereas this player, maybe, maybe it's. This is more vibes and quality, but I have a. There's a place for vibes. So I will go For Jorge Campos, who played at two World Cups. 94. 98 was in the squad in 2002, made some fantastic saves. Obviously a very storied career. Scored a lot of goals. Those kits.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, those kits. 94 in particular.

[Jack Lang]

Yeah, that'll do it for me.

[Karl Anker]

Beautiful.

[Duncan Alexander]

That is a lovely choice.

[Olly Kay]

It's fascinating. Nobody, nobody went for Hugo Sanchez.

[Jack Lang]

Who's. Yeah.

[Felipe Cardness]

Regardless, who needs a striker.

[Olly Kay]

Greatest Mexican player, the greatest North American player. I think people just, I mean, just from my point of view, I think I just wanted somebody else up front. So.

[Jack Lang]

Yeah, there are so many really good striker picks, I think. And I think like Sanchez, maybe not. Maybe his best wasn't at the World cup. Was my kind of judgment on that.

[Felipe Cardness]

Yeah, he was disappointing at the 86 World Cup. He was a disappointment for them.

[Duncan Alexander]

You're gonna love the round. Pick a player called Sanchez. So no, that's not Davington.

[Jack Lang]

Here we go.

[Duncan Alexander]

Okay, next round. And Jack, you have the. A free choice and first choice.

[Jack Lang]

Oh, thank you. I mean, I'm just gonna stick to type and I'm gonna say Nilton Santos, who won it twice for Brazil. Widely regarded as one of the top 10 Brazilian players of all time. Nicknamed the Encyclopedia because he knew so much about football.

[Karl Anker]

Wow. Also a nickname given to Jack Grealish.

[Jack Lang]

That right.

[Karl Anker]

Sort of.

[Duncan Alexander]

Nice choice. Felipe, you're next.

[Felipe Cardness]

Yes. And I'm ready to go. This was. I have this player highlighted. I'm going with the. With one of my first of two center back positions so far, unless this changes. But I'm going with 1978 Argentina captain and World cup winner Daniel Passarella is my center back.

[Karl Anker]

I was waiting for when you start going to 1978 Argentina.

[Duncan Alexander]

Lovely. Okay, Ollie, you're. You're next.

[Olly Kay]

Yeah. I might go for Michel Platoni.

[Karl Anker]

There it is.

[Olly Kay]

Who was just wonderful in the 82. Yeah. 82 World cup primarily, but. But also 86. Part of a brilliant team and that didn't win it. But yeah, deserve. Well, football wise, he deserves to be known as something more than. Than a slightly compromised UEFA president.

[Lowe's Ad Voice]

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[Duncan Alexander]

€84 as well.

[Olly Kay]

Yeah.

[Karl Anker]

1983 to 1984 is one of the highest peaks.

[Olly Kay]

Yeah.

[Karl Anker]

For any European player. Perhaps just a remarkable. Remarkable ability. Technical, security, creativity. I'm intrigued you've gone for him. He's more of a Euro player to my mind because of. His highest peak is at the Euros.

[Olly Kay]

I know what you mean. But 1982 World Cup, 1986 World cup, he. He was, he was still.

[Duncan Alexander]

Uhhuh.

[Olly Kay]

He was still formidable. 82 World cup was where I first saw him play and it was, you know, he was one of the. One of the players along with Zico and Adair, more than Maradona at that World cup, who just sort of stood out in a big, big way and captured my imagination. So, yeah, you know, the interesting thing is that I went for him rather than Zinedine Zidane, who scored a. Zidane is still free. Yeah, there you go. I've tried to push you down a path there.

[Karl Anker]

No, no, I was rapidly making notes

[Duncan Alexander]

here and that's very useful because it's your turn.

[Karl Anker]

I need a versatile player who can offer me something on both flanks depending on how things go down. So Gianluca Zambrota, very good.

[Jack Lang]

Amazing play.

[Felipe Cardness]

That's a good pick.

[Duncan Alexander]

Nice choice.

[Felipe Cardness]

Right footed, right footed, but played on the left.

[Duncan Alexander]

Let's have a quick run through who we've gone for so far. Jack has picked up the Brazilian all stars. He's got Pele, Garrincha, Kafu. He's got Mbappe. He's got Scurea. He's got Campos and Santos. Are you happy with that?

[Jack Lang]

Nilton Santos. There was another Santos on the other flank, which I could have gone for, actually.

[Duncan Alexander]

Felipe's got Maradona, Ronaldo, Brazilian Ronaldo, Christo Suchka, Flo Mateus, Jorginho Ochoa and Passarella.

[Felipe Cardness]

Correct.

[Duncan Alexander]

Oli so far has Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, Eusebio, Franco Barezzi, Paolo Maldini, Rafael Marquez and Michel Platini.

[Jack Lang]

God, that sounds.

[Duncan Alexander]

That's a good.

[Jack Lang]

Really annoying. Have we done that?

[Karl Anker]

A lot of good dudes.

[Duncan Alexander]

And then Carl has gone for Lionel Messi, Cannavaro, Gerd Muller, Luka Modric, Lillian Schramm, Carbajal and Zambrota. Your most recent choice. Everyone happy so far? Everyone aware of the. The gaps in their, in their team where they need to fill? Obviously three of you've got goalkeepers, which leaves a wide field open.

[Jack Lang]

I haven't got any midfield.

[Karl Anker]

There's a lot of very, very good goalkeepers on the table still.

[Felipe Cardness]

Yeah, there's some really top goalkeeper that I'm jealous that I can't pick.

[Duncan Alexander]

Okay, it's round eight and we're starting with Carl.

[Karl Anker]

No wild card?

[Duncan Alexander]

No, not yet.

[Karl Anker]

Any choice?

[Duncan Alexander]

Any choice?

[Karl Anker]

Midfield is deep. I reckon we could do midfield midfielders for a very, very long time. Whereas there are some very good wide attackers that can cut inside on the right foot and, and, and do some damage there. Now, do I go Moder?

[Duncan Alexander]

Gonna have to hurry Carl, the clock is ticking.

[Felipe Cardness]

It has to be ticking.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah.

[Karl Anker]

I'm gonna do a Jack Lang and pick a Brazilian. I'm going to go for Rivaldo and I'm going to play him on the left wing. So my front three will be Rivaldo, Gerd Muller and Lionel Messi.

[Duncan Alexander]

I'm holding my face after a genuine hit to it. Ollie, you're next.

[Olly Kay]

I am also going to do a Jack Langiger for a Brazilian and one that Jack will be frustrated is off the table. Although perhaps he didn't want to duplicate right wingers. Jazzynho, who was very good, won the silver boot. Not the golden boot, but the silver boot at the 1970 was part of that incredible Brazil team that is regarded in some quarters as the greatest of all time. So. Yes.

[Duncan Alexander]

Cool. Okay, Felipe, your next pick.

[Felipe Cardness]

Yes. I'm going to make sure that my left side is, is well protected and I'm going to go with another German actually to play at the left fullback position. And that is Andreas breme. The. The four. The War cup winner, 1990. Can get up, can get up that flank easily. So good on the ball. So classy. A very classy player, but rugged as well. Classic 90s German national team player. So Andres Bremer at my left back

[Duncan Alexander]

position famously took the winning penalty in the 1990 World cup final with his weaker foot. Although weaker being not really the operative word. But still, you know, I'm not sure I'd have had the bravery to do that had I been playing in the World cup final, which, let's be honest, I wouldn't have. They don't need to worry. Okay, Jack,

[Jack Lang]

Left wing is looking interesting now because I. Yeah, there are a couple of players that. Brazilians as well. Yeah. I actually think the options are relatively limited there. Or do I pick a right or a kind of a central player who can play out there, which would be slightly against the spirit of the exercise. You know what I'm gonna.

[Duncan Alexander]

Skills is right there.

[Jack Lang]

I'm gonna leave that for just a second, give myself some more time and pick another center back. Tempted to go Italian and Italian, but I would just for variety, I'll have Bobby Moore.

[Olly Kay]

Yeah. You do realize he's not Brazilian. You've just been confused by that situation where it's.

[Duncan Alexander]

It's one name. Bobby Moore.

[Olly Kay]

Bobby Moore.

[Duncan Alexander]

Well, first, I believe that's the first English player picked.

[Jack Lang]

I think it is.

[Felipe Cardness]

There you go.

[Jack Lang]

That's the Clacton.

[Olly Kay]

Wake up.

[Duncan Alexander]

That could be. It isn't, but it could be the Clacton because it is Time for our third and final wildcard. And this one is simply choose a player who had long hair. Long hair, which we're saying shoulder length or lower shoulder. I thought you were gonna go for the opposite.

[Karl Anker]

Yeah, I thought you were gonna go for bold.

[Jack Lang]

Okay, well, that's good.

[Karl Anker]

I genuinely had a bold player contingency plan. And you've blown.

[Duncan Alexander]

Oh, if anything, you've done the opposite. We need to do that. So again, as with the wild card protocols, people can have a couple of minutes to think about long hair.

[Jack Lang]

That's very funny.

[Duncan Alexander]

Skillful men.

[Jack Lang]

And Ann.

[Duncan Alexander]

Oh, no.

[Felipe Cardness]

And this is. And this is going. Jack is picking, right?

[Duncan Alexander]

Jack picks first, then you, Felipe, then Ollie, then Carl. Oh, dear. Carl blown it.

[Jack Lang]

Just to clarify, we're still basing them on the quality of the performances rather than the quality of the long hair.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, I'm not looking for, you know, condition of hair.

[Jack Lang]

Okay. Shoulder length or longer, you said.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, yeah, I think so.

[Jack Lang]

Okay. Can I get a. I think if

[Duncan Alexander]

it's kind of tousled over the, you know, heading that way, I'll. I'll let you off the ears. No, because that just means any player in the 1970s.

[Jack Lang]

Oh, okay. Okay. For me, then it comes down to a couple of options, I think one of which will get picked. But we will discuss it in a minute. I'm gonna go finally for a midfielder and I will go for Andrea Pirlo, who was absolutely unbelievable as Italy.

[Duncan Alexander]

You can see him over there on the.

[Jack Lang]

On the wall.

[Karl Anker]

It's the pass before the pass in the 2006 semi final against Germany with. There's a split second where he's on the ball, he takes an additional touch, and I think it's Schweinslager. You can see Schweinsteger just about computes what Perla's about to do, but he can't get there quickly enough to stop the pass from being made. It's phenomenal.

[Jack Lang]

Bit of personal success that. That's the first time someone else has groaned at one of my picks. Thank you, Ollie. That's felt really good.

[Duncan Alexander]

Okay. Felipe, your long haired superstar.

[Felipe Cardness]

Yeah, I mean, I'm. I'm surprised I'm gonna say this name because I feel really safe that I can choose another player even if someone takes this guy. But I'm shocked that Jack did not choose Socrates. He has worn a headband. If you wear a headband, that constitutes long hair. So Socrates is there. But I did not plan on choosing this player. I did not plan on choosing any Colombian players. But since You've given me this opportunity.

[Karl Anker]

Oh, you've not chosen Socrates.

[Felipe Cardness]

I will. No, I have. I am going to choose Carlos El PvE Valderrama. Valderrama is in mind. Is in my 11 now. And I probably have to change my formation, but. Carlos Valderrama, 1990. Carlos Valderrama, to be clear, that was the biggest his hair ever was, I think.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, that's true. Lovely stuff, Ollie. We've. We've now got a floating Socrates, as it's known in the business.

[Olly Kay]

So what. What is. Oh, Socrates.

[Jack Lang]

Yes.

[Olly Kay]

Okay, I'll go for him. I'll go for him. I was gonna go for Pielo. I was gonna go for Socrates. So I'll. I'll stick with Socrates.

[Jack Lang]

I think that also just saved us quite.

[Olly Kay]

It say it saved me a one where I was going to ask, and I will ask, because I'd love to know retrospectively, Bobby Charlton, I was gonna mention. I mean, lengthwise, you know, it goes all the way from the parting there,

[Duncan Alexander]

probably, if he had brushed it the other way.

[Olly Kay]

Yeah, but I don't think so.

[Jack Lang]

Carl's picking Bobby Charlton straight away.

[Duncan Alexander]

Carl.

[Karl Anker]

No, I'm not going for Bobby Charlton. I'm going for the divine ponytail Roberto Baggio. I will say, I genuinely did have a list of bold players, just in case. I was thinking, feeling smug, but no, I'm going to go for Baggio instead. He will be my number 10 in my 433.

[Duncan Alexander]

I think Baggio's hair in 1990 was superior to 94, but that's just a personal opinion.

[Karl Anker]

I'm going to Google this.

[Duncan Alexander]

Just captured my heart a bit more. Okay, that's nine rounds of players in the bank and we're back. You'll be relieved to notice, standard picks. And Karl, it's your turn.

[Karl Anker]

I have only two spots left, and that is a. Another midfielder and a right back. I'm going to go for another midfielder and I'm going to go for Patrick Vieira.

[Duncan Alexander]

Very nice.

[Karl Anker]

So my midfield now is Patrick Vieira, Roberto Baggio.

[Duncan Alexander]

I mean, to do a job. We'll certainly do a job.

[Karl Anker]

We're going to fight, I tell you that, Ollie.

[Olly Kay]

I will go for Carlos Alberto, who.

[Duncan Alexander]

Nice again.

[Olly Kay]

A quintessential World cup figure that scored the famous goal in 1970 and. Yeah, had a long, long history. A man synonymous, I think, with the World Cup.

[Duncan Alexander]

Very much so. Very nice, Felipe.

[Felipe Cardness]

Okay. Gosh, there's so many good players still available and so many players that are not going to get chosen because a lot of us have. And attackers. I'M I'm happy that Carl took Roberto Baggio. I feel like he should be on somebody's list. I'm going to choose my final central defender and for this one, you know, I want to, I want, you know, I, I have Bran Pasarella who's pretty good on the ball, but more Pasadella. I want to, you know, potentially elbow somebody when the referee isn't looking or just, just be like the classic Argentine defender. So I want someone next to him that can really play with the ball, that can be classy, can lead. And for that I'm going with the Spanish central defender, Fernando Hiero.

[Karl Anker]

Oh, not the Spanish center back I thought you'd go for.

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[Duncan Alexander]

Okay, it's background to you Jack lan

[Jack Lang]

Okie dokie right. My missing positions are central midfield and left sided attacker. That rules out a lot of players I would still love to pick, but I am I don't like. I wouldn't wedge Zico on the left wing for example. I find that very distasteful Same for. For Zinedine Zidane, really. Or, you know, push gas. Um,

[Duncan Alexander]

any sentence that ends with all push gas is always good.

[Jack Lang]

Or push gas. Okay, central midfield. Let's do that first. I've got PLO in there. Two Brazilian options were DD and Z Toe, both of whom won it twice. But I'm very. I'm quite strongly invested in 1958 and 1962 already. And let's just have a little bit of variety. I'm going to go for, I think, only the second of my players who hasn't won it, but I will. I'm going to go for Johan Naskins, who was, yeah, Johan Cruy's lieutenant in 74 and 78. Really good player. So he's gonna go in alongside PLO and then.

[Duncan Alexander]

Hang on, hang on, hang on.

[Jack Lang]

You wouldn't.

[Duncan Alexander]

I might. It's the last round. Everyone's picked 10 players. We've got one left. Now I could be a very cruel man and activate the nasty wildcard, which would be pick someone who played in World cup before the Second World War. But I'm not gonna do that because that would be unfair. All I'm gonna say is for the 11th player, you've gotta pick someone from a nation you haven't picked from before. So far.

[Jack Lang]

Oh. Oh, God.

[Duncan Alexander]

Which is pretty easy for Jack Lang, but for others it may be slightly trickier.

[Jack Lang]

Okay, I'll talk us into it then. So left midfield remains my area, left attacker. And that rule obviously rules out Roberto Rivelino Ronaldinho and Mario Zagalo. Ronaldinho I was tempted to pick earlier, but I actually think he didn't do his best work at World Cups. Was very young in 2002, Brazil were rubbish in 2006, and then he didn't get picked for the next two. So my options as I see them, people who can play on the left are. The one I won't pick is Giovanni Ferrari, who won it twice for Italy, but only in very blurry old video. And so let's go a bit more up to date and I don't have a Spanish player and I'm going to have Andres Iniesta.

[Duncan Alexander]

Very nice.

[Jack Lang]

Who camp in such midfield but was very often used from the left in Spain's World cup win in 2010.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, exactly. Very good, Felipe, your final pick.

[Felipe Cardness]

Yeah, I mean you.

[Jack Lang]

I don't.

[Felipe Cardness]

I wouldn't say you stumped me, Duncan, but it's close. It's close. And having to choose someone, a player from a nation that I have not chosen already, I'm missing A central midfielder. My formation has officially changed to a four, three, three.

[Karl Anker]

Yeah.

[Felipe Cardness]

Okay.

[Duncan Alexander]

That's how to get you.

[Felipe Cardness]

That was, that was an in game decision. And so I have a central midfielder left to play alongside Lotar Matias and Carlos Valderrama. So I have him on my list. I'm going to go with him because I think sometimes you also want a player in the middle that you think might potentially spit on you. Okay. Yeah, it's a good, you know, like, you don't want to meet that. You don't want to get that guy mad. He's good too, this, he was a good player. Very good player in the middle. So Frank Rickard, he's going into my 11th. The Dutch world cup player famously spit on Rudy Voller in 1990. And I think in, if you grew up in that era when Germany and the Netherlands played each other, you stopped what you were doing and you play, you watched that match. So, yeah, again, not a world beater, Frank Ricard, but I'm gonna put him in my midfield and yeah, still a very good player.

[Duncan Alexander]

And the hang time he got on that split, it's, it's a phenomenal, I

[Karl Anker]

mean, it's a phenomenal image.

[Duncan Alexander]

And also hats off quite literally to Fuller's hair for holding it because it didn't.

[Karl Anker]

The fact that

[Olly Kay]

you'd have been a good one for that earlier category, wouldn't he, Rudy Vuller?

[Duncan Alexander]

True, true. Right, well, let's move on from Flem to Ollie's final pick and it's quite

[Olly Kay]

an easy one because my only remaining position is goalkeeper.

[Karl Anker]

Oh, there it is.

[Felipe Cardness]

I had so many good goalkeepers.

[Olly Kay]

I had four or five goalkeepers down on my, my list. Most of them were Italian or German and you've taken all the Mexican ones, guys.

[Felipe Cardness]

So Ollie, Ollie, you don't have, you don't have John Murray FAF on your list.

[Jack Lang]

No.

[Olly Kay]

Great goalkeeper. But I, I, I mean, it's not, you know, the award for the best goalkeeper each season isn't the faf. The FAF award is it, it's, it's the, it's the, it's the, it's the Yashin Award.

[Karl Anker]

It is, it is.

[Olly Kay]

So I'm going for Lev Yashin, who not only. Well, I mean, he's, he played at the 58 World cup, played the 62 World cup, played in 66 and was just regarded as the number one goalkeeper in world football. And yeah, so I think, I think, although my team. Yeah, I think, I think it looks, it looks good in black and white, man.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, I mean I gotta say you're, you're 11 only strong World cup energy. I mean they all do after obvious reason.

[Jack Lang]

I think we all win the FAF award just for the amount of post it notes and sheets of paper that we've used to.

[Karl Anker]

Oh, the oddy. How many players in year 11 haven't won the World Cup?

[Olly Kay]

Platanu, Cruyff, Socrates, Yashin.

[Jack Lang]

And yet only two for me.

[Karl Anker]

And yet it's, it's a beautiful side.

[Felipe Cardness]

I have a lot of players. I have not. I have over five.

[Karl Anker]

You've got five players. I won the World Cup.

[Felipe Cardness]

That did not. That did not.

[Karl Anker]

Fascinating. My final selection is Will Wim Surbaya, the two time World cup runner up with the Netherlands. One of the great proponents of total football. Known for just having four lungs, incredible stamina, incredible tactical fluidity. I think he'd be a good right back to play behind Lionel Messi. I need to get a Dutch player in there somewhere where wasn't the one in the position I think it'd be. But Wim is my man.

[Duncan Alexander]

Very nice. Yeah. You said you were going to try and pick lots of Dutch people who have done it on a wild card in the 11th pick. So crisscross. Okay, thank you everyone that completes your teams. Just before we proceed to manager choices and official formations and lineups. To Felipe's point a minute ago, who, everyone, Give me one or two players that you are stunned, slash shocked that haven't been picked in this process.

[Jack Lang]

Mentioned a couple as we were going, but the ones among those that haven't been mentioned, I think Paolo Rossi, just Fontaine, Chavy, Tony Cruz, Claudio Gentile. Those are the ones that kind of jump out on my list.

[Olly Kay]

Senadine Zidane, Franz Puskas, Romario. There are people, there are people who are undisputed all time greats like the Stefano, Cristiano Ronaldo, Van Basten, who perhaps are less associated with with World Cup. I was going to put Cristiano Ronaldo in my team purely because it would look good on paper, but I didn't think it would be.

[Karl Anker]

We were talking about this earlier. I was talking about Jack Lang, about was Christian Al gonna go early or was the fact that he doesn't have a knockout goal gonna count against him?

[Duncan Alexander]

We have our answer.

[Karl Anker]

Yeah, there you go. Some players that perhaps didn't win the trophy but had phenomenal runs during the World Cup. So no Michael Balak, who to my mind was the best non Brazilian player at the 2002 World Cup. Yeah. No African players. Unfortunately I did have A sort of wild card list of players like JJ Okocha, Samuel ETO I think would have been picked. Part me's wondering I did also have an entire game plan if one of the wild cards was going to be about choosing a player from the Asian Federation where I was simply going to pick as many members of the South Korean 2002 team as possible.

[Jack Lang]

Shout out to Hongming Bo.

[Karl Anker]

Yep, yep, absolutely, yes, just incredibly versatile sweeper even a player like Paco Gento was someone I thought might get selected And I will say when I mentioned earlier I needed a striker I wanted to know if it was going to be a striker who can work inside the box or work outside the box. I was genuinely considering Harry Kane called bigot surprised.

[Felipe Cardness]

I mean there's, there's, you know, Ronaldinho, I mean he was Great in that 2002 team. Del Piero great in 2006, obviously Sergio Busquets, I mean he was, I had him like, you know, he could be in anyone's midfield I think an all timer if you want that type of player in the middle. And to Carl's point, you know, I was ready to go with Suli Montari. I think he's a Ghanaian legend that played at multiple World Cups. There are a lot of players that should probably be on here. Romario for me is one of the top players that did not make it into anybody's starting 11. I mean seriously, like you think of 1994 Brazil, you think of Romario Gavil

[Karl Anker]

Suka at a phenomenal France 98 tournament. Schilachi Toto Scalacci is not selected. I know, wow.

[Olly Kay]

No, I wondered whether we were going to have some, you know, amongst the wild card categories. I wondered whether there might be a very subjective thing, but somebody who was purely sort of considered like a specific World cup player which I think Scaracci or Louira clearly had a great season at Juventus in order to get into that squad, you know, he to me would have been that type of person. Oleg Selenko, Oleg Silenko, Roger Miller. Yeah, you know, players who had great careers but are in the public consciousness

[Jack Lang]

or even players who didn't have great careers but had one amazing World cup, you know, like Jose Mar for Brazil

[Felipe Cardness]

favorites from 86 Claverson.

[Duncan Alexander]

I mean ultimately we've chosen 44 players from, you know, nearly 100 years of World Cup. So yeah, there's going to be more good players not picked than were picked, but I think everyone has done a fine job. The final task before we run through our teams is to pick A manager. And with the horseshoe system of truth, Karl, you get to go first here.

[Karl Anker]

There's no. No ruling, no nothing I've got to bear in mind.

[Duncan Alexander]

Nope.

[Karl Anker]

I'm going to go for someone who has won the World cup both as a player and as a manager, and has reached multiple finals as a World cup manager, Didier Deschamps. Didier Deschamps, a man who's about structure, organization. I'm making sure the vibes in camp are fantastic. And in my imagine team, I think I'm going to need to get some of these players to behave and look after.

[Duncan Alexander]

He's going to get Baggio tracking back, isn't he?

[Karl Anker]

Yeah, he's going to need to get Baggio tracking back. I've got some pods there. You know, Zambroto and Carnavara are going to be talking to each other. Vieira and Thuram are going to be talking to each other there, but Deschamps is going to bring some structure there.

[Duncan Alexander]

Nice.

[Karl Anker]

And that's my man.

[Duncan Alexander]

Ole.

[Olly Kay]

There's the option of going for the only man to have won the World cup twice as a manager, but I'm going to go for. Just to make it easier for everybody else, I'm going to go for a player manager. One of my players, Franz Beckenbauer, won the World cup as a manager with West Germany in 1990. So he could be player manager and maybe Cruyff would listen to him more than most.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, probably more than most. Felipe.

[Felipe Cardness]

Yes. I have a list here. I'm torn because I want to choose perhaps my namesake, the. The great Felipao. Luis Felipe Escolari, Brazilian manager. I. I remember vividly being, you know, a young kid and watching Italy in the 1986 World cup and watching Enzo Birsaw just smoke 17 cigarettes during the game. And I just thought that was incredible. But because I have Diego Armando Maradon on my side, I'm going to take the manager that was able to extract the greatness from him. A physician by trade, still considered, you know, perhaps the best manager in Argentine World cup history. Obviously, Lionel Scaloni is. Is. Is right up there, but I'm going with Carlos Pilardo, the winner of the 1986 World Cup.

[Duncan Alexander]

Lovely stuff, Jack.

[Jack Lang]

I mean, I will end as I began by picking Mario Zagallo. Won it as a player legend.

[Karl Anker]

Yeah.

[Jack Lang]

Won it as a manager, and to most people's minds, created some of the most aesthetically pleasing football ever seen at the World cup in 1970.

[Duncan Alexander]

Very nice. Okay, do you want to run through your team Just give us your formation, give us your lineup.

[Jack Lang]

Give it and state the case for it a bit.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah, like what are you happy about? Is there any nagging doubts you have about anything that happened?

[Jack Lang]

Okay, so my team is in a broad 4 2, 3, 1 formation or 4, 4, 2 depending. My goalkeeper is Jorge Campos. My back four Cafu, Gaetano Cherea, Bobby Moore and Nilson Santos. Deep in midfield, Andrea Piolo and Johanneskins on the right, Kahinsha on the left, Andres Iniesta and then Pele just off Killian and Bape in the attack.

[Duncan Alexander]

Sounds nice.

[Jack Lang]

Does sound what I will say in my team's favor. Everyone's in their preferred position.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah.

[Jack Lang]

There's no skins and Pirlo will ping the ball about very nicely. Iniesta can drop in and combine and then Gincha can. Can do his dribbles and Pel and Mbappe would. Would just have a lot of fun. I mean obviously Jorge Campos isn't one of the greatest, you know, 10 goalkeepers in history, but I think he was the reason given it was the fourth pick on the Concacaf.

[Duncan Alexander]

Yeah.

[Jack Lang]

Wild card round. It could have been, it could have been worse for me. I reasonably happy with that and I think I will be until Ollie reads his out.

[Duncan Alexander]

Well before then. Felipe, you're up next.

[Felipe Cardness]

Yeah, so remember I started with the classic 442. That, that has long been my favorite formation because I like playing with two holding midfielders and then letting the attack run in front of them. But after my picks I've changed to a four three, three. So I'm. My goalkeeper is Guillermo Achoa. I'm happy with it because of what he shows at the World Cup. Not the strongest pick though. Jorginho, my right back. I can't believe I skipped over Carlos Alberto, to be honest with you. I'm embarrassed. But I like this guy. He was very serviceable on a, on a, on a defensive minded team if you will. You know they, they could, they could defend that Brazilian team in 94. Daniel Pasarella, Fernando Yerlo in the. In my are my center backs. I like that we're going to keep the ball. And Andreas Breme is playing as my left back in the middle. Frank Ricard is my defensive midfielder. You get by him, you're going to get hurt essentially. And I'm moving Mateus into a central midfield position. And this is 1990 Lothar Mateus, not 1986 Los Harmas. Who man marked Diego Maradona in that final and kicked him several times. But in 1990 he was transformed into a box to box. Wonderful player in front of those two. Carlos Valderrama, I mean you know what he's going to do. And then my front three. I will die on this hill. As the top front three in World cup draft history. Playing on the left as, as, as a right sided forward. Linking and moving inside Diego Maradona centrally R9 and off the, off the left. Christo Storchkopf coming in.

[Duncan Alexander]

I mean that is a very tasty looking front three. It has to be said.

[Karl Anker]

Put the ball in the air, they're gonna dominate.

[Olly Kay]

I, yeah, I like my, I like my lineup but I'm just not quite sure the best formation. It's almost like there's a lack of width. There's a lack of width in.

[Jack Lang]

Have you Garth Crooks.

[Olly Kay]

No, I have Carlos Alberto right back. I have Jazinho right wing. I think the left side. Paolo Maldini can obviously play left back and was a brilliant left back long before he was a brilliant center back. You had Croy Fu who, who could drift to the left hand side and he would in this team. I think Franz Beckenbau. I toyed with the idea of switching to a sort of back three and wing backs. But no, Franz Beckenbau would be in his 1966 role as a sort of midfielder in, in front of the defense. You then have a sort of. What would it be? A front, a front six of Beckerbauer, Socrates, Cruyff, Platiny, Jazzinho or Eusebio. It's, it's. I mean it's, it's pretty decent. It's. It's decent. It's got. No, don't mind it. Yeah, it's what, what it lacks really is, is players who have, who have played this century.

[Jack Lang]

But what it lacks is any kind of structure. Mate.

[Karl Anker]

You're going to win every game. Four, three, that's the game. That's the goal.

[Olly Kay]

Not. You're not going to concede many goals with. You're saying no structure but that, that back, back six. Yashin, Carlos Alberto, Marquez, Barci, Maldini back Bauer. That's.

[Jack Lang]

Let the rest do the thing.

[Karl Anker]

The structure is Baraci and Beckenbauer.

[Olly Kay]

Absolutely. There's, there's, it's good. It's just. Yeah. Formation. It's probably sort of 4, 2, 2, 2 or something like that.

[Duncan Alexander]

Very nice, Carl.

[Karl Anker]

Yeah, I think I've got only three players that didn't play in a pre 90 World Cup. I'm definitely going for color TV here. Yeah, yeah. I am scratching my head going why did I pick Luka Modric instead of when Lotha Matthias was there because Mateus is a. Is a do everything player. And Felipe mentioned me afterwards went oh, hang on, should I have gone for him? But so I got Kabashal with some World cup heritage at goalkeeper. Mexico make good goalkeepers because of him. I believe it was of such historical significance to the nation. That's why Mexico have a lineage of goalkeepers. My back four is. I'm happy my back four. Maybe a little problem with width in that Zambroto's right footed. I'm playing at left back but I've got Zambrotto and Cannavara, they know each other, they want to walk up together. I've got Lilian Thuran who is a wonderful centre back and a wonderful human being. Will Serbia please forgive me, I forgot that pronunciation wrong. Mr. Dependable, highly tactically fluid, technically secure. Very, very important to. To the Ajax teams as well as that Netherlands team that reached two finals too. My midfield is Luka Modic who I think there's a great description of Johan Cruyff where. Where someone once described him as being four footed because the outside of his boots were so good they counted as additional passes. And I remember once someone once asked Karen Benzema what you really liked about Luka Modic. He said I'd want the outside of his right boot. And I think the work Luca has done for Croatia in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups was phenomenal. Patrick Vieira, he does it all. Roberto Baggio in my. So I did have a list of bold football players and Patrick Vera was top of it. So when you flipped it to. To a long player, I went for Bajo instead. I was quite pleased he was still available there. And my friend 3 is Rivaldo, Gerd Muller and Lionel Messi. If I do have a problem it's I only have one ball and I'm not sure how we're going to get that to be shared between all of those individuals.

[Duncan Alexander]

Well, interesting you say that because for one last little fun outro, what's your favorite World cup ball and why? Oh, oh, and it's spelt J A B.

[Jack Lang]

My favorite is actually the 2002 fever Nova.

[Duncan Alexander]

Oh yeah.

[Karl Anker]

Oh, that was a beauty.

[Jack Lang]

Just because it's got. It was just slightly off white. It was slightly beigey. It's not kind of not a classic looking ball but yeah, it just, just did something for me. I like it.

[Olly Kay]

For anyone else I'll go for the Tango. The Adidas Tango Tango. It was introduced for the 1978 World cup, but. But proved such a sort of iconic design that. That it was renewed for 1982. And was it. Was it updated? Was there an updated version of the Tango?

[Felipe Cardness]

Yes, I think in 86 and maybe even 98,690 was the. The Etrusco, I think.

[Duncan Alexander]

But it was sort of the same ball, wasn't it? Just an evolution.

[Felipe Cardness]

Yeah, it was the same ball, essentially. I love that design too. I think it's my favorite World cup ball of all time. That. That Tango. Original Tango. I love it.

[Karl Anker]

It's got to be a Telstar. 97 World Cup. 97 World cup is well regarded because it's the first World cup where the majority of the population has tele. Has color television.

[Olly Kay]

Yeah, yeah.

[Karl Anker]

And therefore, you know, it's. It's bright, it's. It's like. It's what a football looks like. If you ask a child draw a football.

[Duncan Alexander]

Well, it's the emoji of a football, isn't it?

[Karl Anker]

There you go. So I'm fond of that. I'm also quite fond of the 2006 ball, the Teamgeist. But this is very much a personal memory in that I was playing for a team. I was 15 during the 2006 World Cup. And for some reason the team I was playing for on a Saturday that didn't normally have the greatest provisions. One day the coach came in and just threw us all a bunch of team guys and we had a kick around with that. And it was one of the very first times I kicked a football. And I could feel the ball swerve in a way that other footballs are like, oh, good. Footballs move more. So, yeah, the team. The team guys.

[Duncan Alexander]

I mean, in 2010, you could argue, maybe too much. I mean, my favorite ball. Yeah, the one in 1930 in the first game because it got all of this underway, this marvelous history.

[Karl Anker]

Look at that.

[Duncan Alexander]

Probably wasn't a regular ball.

[Karl Anker]

That's great.

[Duncan Alexander]

Probably took on a lot of water, but we can move on. Okay, well, I think that was a lot of fun. I think everyone had a nice time with a few groans and heads being held. Thank you very much to Jack, to Ollie, to Carl, to Felipe, and thanks to you too for joining us and hopefully enjoying. We'll catch you again.

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