FIFA counts down to the World Cup 2026 with a daily statistical story.
Europeans Lothar Matthaus, Miroslav Klose and Paolo Maldini have 72 World Cup appearances between them – more than any three players from any other continent. The South American trio with the most appearances have 67 cumulatively.
Matthaus and Maldini held the respective highs for most appearances and most minutes played in World Cup history until surpassed by Lionel Messi at Qatar 2022. Klose holds several competition records. The German is its all-time top scorer (16 goals), has registered the most victories (17) and collected the most medals (4).
Most appearances
UEFA
Lothar Matthaus (25)
Miroslav Klose (24)
Paolo Maldini (23)
1994 World Cup Finals, Chicago, USA, 17th June, 1994, Germany 1 v Bolivia 0, Lothar Matthaus, Germany (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
CONMEBOL
Lionel Messi (26)
Diego Maradona (21)
Cafu (20)
Javier Mascherano (20)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 27: Javier Mascherano of Argentina tackles Efrain Juarez of Mexico during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Round of Sixteen match between Argentina and Mexico at Soccer City Stadium on June 27, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
AFC
Hong Myungbo (16)
Yuto Nagatomo (15)
Park Jisung (14)
Football - 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan(tm) - Group D - Portugal v South Korea - Incheon Munhak Stadium - Incheon - Korea - 14/6/02.Korea's Ji Sung Park and Portugal's Paulo Bento in action.Mandatory Credit:Action Images / John Sibley.Digital..
Concacaf
Rafa Marquez (19)
Andres Guardado (13)
Landon Donovan (12)
Javier Hernandez (12)
Hector Moreno (12)
SAMARA, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Neymar Jr of Brazil competes for the ball with Andres Guardado of Mexico during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at Samara Arena on July 2, 2018 in Samara, Russia. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
CAF
Asamoah Gyan (11)
Francois Omam-Biyik (11)
Andre Ayew (10)
Achraf Hakimi (10)
Hakim Ziyech (10)
Roger Milla (10)
Joseph Yobo (10)
AL WAKRAH, QATAR - DECEMBER 02: Andre Ayew of Ghana battles for possession with Giorgian de Arrascaeta of Uruguay during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Ghana and Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium on December 02, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. (Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
OFC
No player has made more than three appearances.