FIFA lists players with most World Cup appearances, Ronaldo and Messi lead with six tournaments

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi jointly hold the record for the most appearances, each having participated in six World Cups, including the 2026 edition co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. Following them are seven players who have appeared in five World Cups, while 60 other players have featured in four editions. The list, published on August 17, 2026, on the FIFA website under the title “Men playing in the most World Cups,” places Ronaldo and Messi at the top.

Players with five appearances include Antonio Carbajal, Andres Guardado, Rafael Marquez, Lothar Matthaus, Luka Modric, Yuto Nagatomo, and Manuel Neuer. The extensive list of players with four World Cup appearances includes notable names such as Samuel Eto’o, Diego Maradona, Pele, Thierry Henry, and Miroslav Klose, among many others.