Former Real Madrid and Liverpool striker, Michael Owen, has cast doubt on England's chances of winning the 2026 World Cup, citing concerns about the aging squad and challenging climate conditions expected at the tournament.
Owen, speaking in an interview with 247Bet, questioned whether several key players, including captain Harry Kane, might be past their prime by next summer's global football showpiece.
"Star players such as Kane are getting older — he's not going to be getting any better while world-class players such as Kyle Walker will no longer be there," Owen stated. "Even players like Foden are not at the top of their game compared to what they were a year or two ago."
The former England international particularly highlighted defensive vulnerabilities as a major concern for the Three Lions, who are now under the management of Thomas Tuchel.
"Defensively, I worry too. We used to have a lot of good defenders. Now I'm thinking who's going to play left-back? Who's going to play centre-half? John Stones isn't getting any younger," he explained.
Owen believes England may have already passed their peak moment for international success. "I think we were probably better a year or two ago. But a lot changes in football. It might turn into a big year for us, but no, I wouldn't be confident about us winning the World Cup at this stage."
Despite his pessimism, Owen acknowledged England's recent tournament performances, which have seen them reach the later stages of major competitions. "We're knocking on the door – finals, semi-finals – we're a top footballing nation, but I think other nations may be better suited to the conditions this time," he concluded.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, presenting unique challenges in terms of travel distances and varying climate conditions across venues.
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