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

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

Watch the entire Serie BKT live on OneFootball for just €9.99 per month. Click here to buy the LaB Channel Monthly Pass with no automatic renewal.

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 the age of 24.

YUTO NAGATOMO

The video of the former Inter and Cesena full-back (among others) crying after being called up to the World Cup at 39 went viral around the world. And for good reason, because Nagatomo started every one of Japan’s World Cup matches 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) at the age of 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 didn’t make it because of age

THIAGO SILVA

Thiago Silva was included in Carlo Ancelotti’s preliminary squad list, but Brazil’s defense will not have room for the 41-year-old Porto player.

It’s worth remembering that Thiago Silva was called up in 2010 but never took the field: so if he had taken part in the 2026 edition, it would have been 5 call-ups but only 4 “editions with actual appearances.”

THOMAS MULLER

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 were zero. Also because Germany are not short of attacking options.

XHERDAN SHAQIRI

Another true World Cup man: Xherdan Shaqiri announced his retirement from the national team after Euro 2024. At 34 he has not changed his mind, but he still could have had the ability to play a few minutes, especially considering his latest season of 16 goals (including 3 in the Europa League) with Basel. 

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 to their name:

There are also 3 players who are currently 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 the national team’s consistency (given the relative ease of qualifying) and the generally low turnover of players at the highest level has resulted in 4 Mexicans out of the 8 total players in history to have played 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