Players with the Most Appearances at the World Cup (Tournaments)
For many elite footballers, appearing in a FIFA World Cup is a career-defining achievement; however, maintaining the form and fitness required to compete across multiple tournaments is a feat reserved for an exclusive group. The players listed below represent the pinnacle of longevity, bridging different eras of the sport through their consistent presence on the global stage.
Argentina scores in 1968. Image: from the cover of El Grafico of October 8, 1968. Edition 2557
SIX!
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo played in a record breaking sixth World Cup in 2026.
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026
The "Five-Tournament" Club
Only a handful of players in the history of the men's game have achieved the remarkable milestone of playing in five different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
- Antonio Carbajal (Mexico) - 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966.
- Lothar Matthäus (Germany) - 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998.
- Rafael Márquez (Mexico) - 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018.
- Andrés Guardado (Mexico) - 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022.
- Luka Modrić (Croatia) - 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026.
- Yūto Nagatomo (Japan) - 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026.
- Manuel Neuer (Germany) - 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026.
Notes:
- Mexican Goal Keeper Memo Ochoa was named in 6 World Cups, though he only made 4 appearances on the pitch. He didn't actually play a match in '06 or '10.
- Two other players were named in five squads, but only played in four: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) and Fernando Muslera (Uruguay).
- Lionel Messi played 34 matches across six different tournaments, including his final one in 2026.
- Pelé remains the only player to win three World Cups, though his legendary status was built across four tournament appearances (1958–1970).
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Where to next? ...
- Players with the Most Matches Played at the World Cup
- Oldest Players — List of the oldest to ever play at the World Cup.
- List of the Oldest Players to Score at the World Cup
- FIFA World Cup Players Lists
- Lists about Lionel Messi