MANY players only get a chance to play in one or two World Cups, with the vast majority not going to any at all.
However, a handful of players have done it not once, not twice, but five times.
Brazil are the only nation to appear in all 21 tournaments, with Germany having competed in 19.
Italy have participated in the third most, with 18 World Cup appearances under their belt. However, they will miss out this year after failing to qualify.
Who has the most appearances in World Cup history?
Former Germany midfielder Lothar Matthaus has recorded the most appearances in the World Cup, ranking up 25 games over five tournaments.
Miroslav Klose has the second most, having played one game less. The German notably also holds the record for the most goals scored at the tournament, netting 16 times.
Legendary defender Paolo Maldini is next on the list with 23 appearances for Italy.
Argentina’s beloved Diego Maradona is fourth placed, having recorded 21 appearances and scored some iconic goals along the way. Few were more famous than the ‘hand of God’ goal against England during the semi-final of the 1986 World Cup.
Lionel Messi is 14th on the all-time list, and is set to play in his fifth tournament in Qatar amid his possible transfer to Inter Miami.
Notable mentions must go to Mexico’s Antonio Carbajal and Rafael Marquez, who are the only other players alongside Matthaus to compete in 5 World Cups.
Here is a list of the top 10:
- Lothar Matthaus (25) – Germany
- Miroslav Klose (24) – Germany
- Paolo Maldini (23) – Italy
- Diego Maradona (21) – Argentina
- Uwe Seeler (21) – Germany
- Wladyslaw Zmuda (21) – Poland
- Cafu (20) – Brazil
- Philipp Lahm (20) – Germany
- Javier Mascherano (20) – Argentina
- Bastian Schweinsteiger (20) – Germany
