List of fathers and sons to play at FIFA World Cup
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
The most elite football competition has witnessed several father-son duos.
At the World Cup, father-son duos are somewhat uncommon. It makes sense for several reasons. It is a very difficult path to the top; it is no minor accomplishment for two members of the same family to do it.
There are still many father-son pairs that have been observed in the game, even though there have only been a small number who have been able to make it to the competition, and winning has been a different story.
For 92 years, fans have watched numerous renowned father-son pairs during the international football competition. They now eagerly await the 2026 FIFA World Cup to begin.
There are some examples, when both father and son were able to compete at the top level of competition’s history.
With the 2026 competition approaching, the USA, Mexico and Canada are set to be the co-hosts. We take a look at the top father and son duo who have been able to represent their respective national teams at the football’s most elite competition.
List of fathers and sons who have been to the World Cup as players
| Rank | Father & son | World Cup |
| 1 | Cesare & Pablo Maldini | 1962/1990 |
| 2 | Jean Djorkaeff & Youri Djorkaeff | 1966/1998 |
| 3 | Pablo & Diego Forlan | 1966/2002 |
| 4 | Miguel Angel & Xabi Alonso | 1982/2010 |
| 5 | Mazinho & Thiago | 1994/2018 |
| 6 | Peter Schmeichel & Kasper Schmeichel | 1998/2018 |
| 7 | Claudio Reyna & Giovanni Reyna | 1994/2022 |
| 8 | Lilian & Marcus Thuram | 1998/2022 |
| 9 | Luis & Mario Perez | 1930/1950 |
| 10 | Marti & Jose Vantolra | 1930/1970 |
| 11 | Danny & Daley Blind | 1990/2014 |
| 12 | Miguel & Pepe Reina | 1966/2006 |
| 13 | Javier Hernández Gutiérrez & “Chicharito” | 1986/2014 |
How many World Cups has Marcus Thuram played in?
He will play in his second World Cup this year.
How many WC has Pablo Maldini played in?
Paolo Maldini played in four tournaments (1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002).
Which player has the most WC trophies?
Pelé, winning it thrice.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.