Which soccer player has the most men’s World Cup final appearances?
In this weekend’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, one player is set to equal a 24-year-old tournament record.
Since the inception of the World Cup in 1930, only one man has played in three finals at the tournament. However, a second soccer great is about to emulate this feat.
Who has played in the most men’s World Cup finals?
As it stands, Brazil’s Cafú is the outright highest appearance-maker in men’s World Cup finals, having featured in a trio of title deciders between 1994 and 2002.
But Argentina skipper Lionel Messi is set to equal Cafú’s record this weekend. After the 39-year-old set up both goals in Wednesday’s 2-1 semifinal win over England, the Albiceleste are to take on Spain for the 2026 title at MetLife Stadium, where Messi is poised to add to the two finals already on his stellar resumé.
From despair to delight - Messi’s World Cup finals so far:
Messi’s first World Cup final came in 2014 - and the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner endured an unhappy debut in the globe’s biggest game. At the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, the Argentines were beaten 1-0 by Germany, Mario Götze volleying in an extra-time winner for Die Mannschaft.
At the end of the 2014 final, Messi was presented with the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, but it was a controversial award. The forward had underwhelmed in the championship decider: he missed a clearcut second-half opportunity and, in the words of BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty, cut “an increasingly jaded figure”.
Eight years on, however, Messi’s second World Cup final appearance was rather more successful. In a thrilling matchup with France in Qatar, he secured the first World Cup winner’s medal of his career, leading Argentina to the nation’s third global crown. Messi scored twice in a 3-3 draw at Lusail Stadium, before coolly netting his penalty in a 4-2 shootout win for the South Americans.
In addition to steering Argentina to World Cup victory, Messi’s fine final display rubber-stamped his selection as winner of the 2022 tournament’s Golden Ball - making him the only player to receive the award twice. On this occasion, there could be rather less debate about the choice.
“Qatar 2022 has been Messi’s tournament,” Mark Ogden wrote for ESPN. “He has scored in every game bar one […] and he has risen to the occasion every time Argentina has needed him to make a difference.”
Why Messi’s mark would eclipse Cafú’s
Now, as Argentina bid to become the first team to retain the men’s World Cup since 1962, Messi is not only about to double the three-finals club’s membership tally; in New Jersey, he can also become the only man to start three World Cup finals.
That’s because Cafú’s first involvement in the showpiece event came as a substitute. In the ’94 final against Italy, settled in Brazil’s favor by the title game’s first ever penalty shootout, the right-back replaced the injured Jorginho in the first half of a goalless draw in Pasadena.
Cafú then started the final in 1998 in France, where Brazil lost 3-0 to the hosts; and in 2002 in Japan, where he captained the Canarinha to their fifth world title, lifting the trophy after a 2-0 victory over Germany.
More multiple World Cup winners in 2026 final?
Should Argentina add a fourth star to their crest this weekend, Messi - and several of his teammates - will join Cafú as a two-time champion. At present, the former defender is one of 20 individuals, a list that includes 15 Brazilians, who have won two men’s World Cups.
Only one man, meanwhile, has three: the legendary Brazilian striker Pelé, who was part of the Seleção’s victories in 1958, 1962 and 1970. ‘O Rei’ only played in two finals, though: in ’62, an injury sustained in Brazil’s second group game ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.
Spain vs Argentina: kickoff times, how to watch and stream in the U.S.
Played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the 2026 World Cup final kicks off on Sunday, July 19, at 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon. PT. U.S. viewers can watch the game live on Fox Network, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Universo, Telexitos, Fox One and fubo. You can also follow live-text coverage of Spain vs Argentina right here at AS USA.
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