Messi and Ronaldo lead the list of seven footballers with the most appearances in the 2026 World Cup, including one player from Asia.
On 4 June 2026, the list of seven veteran players with the most appearances in the final squads was announced. These players are among the 1,248 competitors from 48 nations participating in the 2026 World Cup, which will take place from 11 June to 19 July.
Counting the number of times named to the squad, Lionel Messi, the star of Argentina's latest World Cup-winning team, ranks joint first alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar striker, each with six selections, as well as Guillermo Ochoa, the skilled goalkeeper for Mexico.
However, when considering World Cup final matches played, only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have appeared on the field five times each and are likely to extend this record to six in this World Cup. Guillermo Ochoa has guarded the goal in only three tournaments, missing out in 2006 and 2010.
Among those selected for five World Cup final squads, there are four players, including one Asian footballer: Yuto Nagatomo, the experienced 39-year-old Japanese fullback, formerly of Inter Milan, who has now returned to play for FC Tokyo, the first club of his professional career.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 6 selections *played in 5 tournaments
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 6 selections *played in 5 tournaments
3. Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) - 6 selections *played in 3 tournaments
4. Luka Modrić (Croatia) - 5 selections *played in 4 tournaments
5. Manuel Neuer (Germany) - 5 selections *played in 4 tournaments
6. Yuto Nagatomo (Japan) - 5 selections *played in 4 tournaments
7. Fernando Muslera (Uruguay) - 5 selections *played in 3 tournaments
