🧨 5th World Cup: Neuer, Nagatomo and... some will make it 6️⃣! 🤯 | OneFootball

Manuel Neuer will be called up by Nagelsmann for the 2026 World Cup with Germany: a surprising decision that will see him play in his 5th World Cup.

An achievement reserved for very few men: let’s see who has managed it and who could reach (and surpass) 5 World Cup appearances in the next edition.

Who will reach 5 appearances

MANUEL NEUER 

As mentioned, at 40 Neuer will guard Germany’s goal (probably as a starter) again in 2026 after first doing so in 2010: the very year he won the World Cup at 24 years old.

YUTO NAGATOMO

The video of the former Inter and Cesena full-back (among others) crying after being called up for the World Cup at 39 went viral around the world. And for good reason, because Nagatomo started every Japan match at the World Cup in the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions.

LUKA MODRIC

Luka Modric could easily have reached 6 World Cups because the Croatian was already in the 2006 squad (as a substitute), when he was 21. However, Croatia did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup, so Modric will “only” reach 5 World Cup appearances in the next edition.

Who is unlikely to get there because of age

THIAGO SILVA: unlikely

Thiago Silva was included in Carlo Ancelotti’s preliminary squad list, but Brazil’s defense is unlikely to make room for the 41-year-old from Porto.

It’s worth remembering that Thiago Silva was called up in 2010 but never took the field: so if he were to take part in the 2026 edition, that would make 5 call-ups, but his “editions with actual appearances” would still be 4.

THOMAS MULLER: impossible

Thomas Muller retired from the national team after Euro 2024 with Germany: technically he is still active (MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps), but his chances of being called up are zero. Also because Germany’s attack is not short of options.

XHERDAN SHAQIRI: unlikely

Another true World Cup man: Xherdan Shaqiri announced his retirement from the national team after Euro 2024. But what if the call came? At 34, he would still have the qualities to come off the bench for Switzerland, especially considering his last season of 16 goals (including 3 in the Europa League) with Basel. 

📸 ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

Who is already at 5 World Cups and who will reach 6

There are very few retired players who ended their careers with 5 World Cups:

There are also 3 players who are already on 5 and, barring surprises, will make it to 6 World Cups played:

The number of Mexican players in this ranking is incredible: the mix of national-team continuity (given the relative ease of qualifying) and the generally low turnover of players at the highest level has led to as many as 4 Mexicans in history playing in at least 5 World Cups.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

📸 Laurence Griffiths - 2014 Getty Images