The Toffees have 4 players at this year’s tournament, and a total of 37 Everton players have featured in World Cup squads whilst playing for Everton between 1958 and 2022, but what would an all-time Everton World Cup XI look like?
- Goalkeeper – Tim Howard, USA
Howard’s performances in 2014 saw the hashtag #ThingsTimHowardCouldSave trend on Twitter, as the Everton keeper broke the record for the most saves in a single World Cup game, with 15 in total in a Round of 16 game against Belgium.
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Left-back – Ray Wilson, England
World Cup winner in 1966, need I say more?
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Centre-back – Johnny Heitinga, Netherlands
A runner-up in 2010, Heitinga played in every game as the Netherlands reached the final, where the ex-Everton man was sent-off.
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Centre-back – Brian Labone, England
A legendary player at Goodison Park, Labone pulled out of the 1966 World Cup squad due to his imminent marriage, but played in 1970, when England reached the quarter-finals.
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Right-back – Gary Stevens, England
Another quarter-finalist with England, this time in 1986.
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Left-wing – Steven Pienaar, South Africa
A fan favourite at Everton, Pienaar represented South Africa on home soil in 2010
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Centre-mid – Idrissa Gana Gueye, Senegal
Featuring in both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, Gueye is one of only three Everton players to represent the club at consecutive World Cups.
- Centre-mid – Thomas Gravesen, Denmark
Gravesen played in every game for his country in 2002. In fact, the Dane’s performances in the qualifying rounds were so good, boxer Mike Tyson requested his shirt after a 6-0 win over Iceland.
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Right-wing – Tim Cahill, Australia
In 2006, Cahill became the first Australian to score a World Cup goal, helping the Socceroos to the Round of 16. Also featuring in 2010, Cahill has a total of three World Cup goals for Australia, a national record.
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Striker – Gary Lineker, England
Representing the Toffees with the England squad in 1986, Lineker reached the quarter-final, he finished the tournament with 6 goals, earning him the Golden Boot – making him the first Englishman to do so. He also scored the second quickest World Cup hattrick against Poland.
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Striker – Yakubu, Nigeria
Feed the Yak and he will score, as he did for his country in the 2010 World Cup, in a 2-2 draw with South Korea.
Is this our best World Cup 11?
Yes
No
