10 most capped players to appear in World Cup 2018

To win or be successful at the football World Cup, teams need a perfect balance of youthful exuberance and experienced hands to steer the ship when heads are down.

World Cup 2018 will see several new faces from lesser known teams like Panama, Saudi Arabia and Egypt - these players have seen it and done it all, albeit in lower-quality leagues and not at the grandest stage in football - the World Cup.

But regardless of which league a player plays in, experience always comes in handy.

Let’s take a look at the 10 most capped current players to appear in World Cup 2018, in Russia.

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#10 Jaime Penedo - 131 caps (Panama)

33-year-old Jaime Penedo is the goalkeeper of Romanian club Dinamo București

Panama’s Jaime Penedo may be an unknown name to many football fans, but the goalkeeper could very well make a name for himself in the 2018 World Cup, when he faces off against the likes of Hazard, Kane, Lukaku and co., in Group G.

He made his national team debut in 2003 and has been the team’s No. 1 for the most part of a decade. Penedo plays for Romania’s Dinamo București, and has previously turned out for MLS’ LA Galaxy.

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#9 Taisir Al-Jassim - 131 caps (Saudi Arabia)

Taisir Al-Jassim is a gifted midfielder who can shoot, dribble and control the tempo of the game

Mohammad Al-Sahlawi may be Saudi Arabia’s chief goalscorer, but the man creating all the chances from midfield is 33-year-old midfielder, Taisir Al-Jassim.

One of the best Saudi Arabian players of his generation, Al-Jassim made his international debut in 2004 and has amassed 131 caps heading into the 2018 World Cup.

The midfielder has a range of skills: he can shoot from distance, is technically perfect, can unlock defences and dictate the tempo of the match.

#8 Osama Hawsawi - 134 caps (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia captain Osama Hawsawi

Set to feature in the heart of the Saudi defence, captain Osama Hawsawi will have his work cut out to keep Suarez, Cavani and Salah at bay, in Group A.

The defender currently plays for Al-Hilal, and appeared in the green of Saudi Arabia in 2007 and has been a key player for the team, having made 134 appearances.

He will lead the team out in the opening game of the 2018 World Cup, against hosts, Russia.

#7 Javier Mascherano - 143 caps (Argentina)

Javier Mascherano is still an important player for the Argentines

Former Barcelona and Liverpool midfielder, Javier Mascherano, may no longer play in a top-tier league like the Premier League or La Liga after his switch to the riches of China, but is still a key figure in Argentina’s national side.

Argentina’s most-capped player with 143 caps, Mascherano will feature for the fourth time in a World Cup, and this will most likely be his final chance to win the coveted trophy.

The 34-year-old hard-tackling midfielder will have to protect his back four and give the attacking talents of Messi, Dybala, Higuain, and di Maria the freedom to bombard forward.

#6 Gabriel Gómez - 144 caps (Panama)

Gabriel Gómez is a defensive midfielder for Panama

Panama’s most-capped player with 144 caps, Gabriel Gómez will be an influential figure in the middle of the park for Panama.

Gómez made his national debut in 2003 and was key to Panama’s qualification to the World Cup. The well-travelled defensive midfielder has plied his trade in many clubs in South America and plays for Atlético Bucaramanga in Colombia.

Panama face an uphill task to qualify from Group G, against England, Belgium and Tunisia.

#5 Rafael Márquez - 144 caps (Mexico)

One of the best to put on the green jersey of Mexico

Rafael Marquez will most likely play his fifth and final World Cup, but don’t be surprised if he turns up in Qatar in the 2022 World Cup!

One of the best players to have featured for his country, the former Barcelona man has made 144 appearances for Mexico, including 16 in the World Cup.

The defender, who made his international debut in 1997, may not feature heavily for Mexico at the World Cup, as coach Juan Carlos Osorio has chosen Carlos Salcedo and Hugo Ayala in defence, but Marquez’s experience will be a huge boost for an exciting Mexico side.

#4 Andrés Guardado - 144 (Mexico)

Andrés Guardado will be a key player for the Mexicans

Since making his international debut in 2005, months after his debut for his club, Andrés Guardado has been one of the linchpins of the Mexican national side.

The 31-year-old winger, who can also play as a wing-back or in midfield, has featured in three World Cups so far, and has 144 caps to his name.

A smart and astute footballer, Guardado can pass with accuracy, shoot from distance and track back to help defenders out as well.

He will be a very important member of the Mexican national side in the 2018 World Cup.

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo - 150 caps (Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo is the most-capped Portuguese player

The Messi vs Ronaldo debate may never be settled, but one thing that is certain is that the Portuguese has done better than his Argentine rival in the international stage.

Ronaldo captained his side to the Euro 2016 title and will look to replicate that in Russia as well. The Real Madrid star has 150 caps to his name and is the most-capped player in the country’s history.

Ronaldo also has an enviable goal-scoring record in the national team colours: 81 goals in 150 matches! If any man can single-handedly lead their team to glory, it’s Ronaldo!

#2 Sergio Ramos - 151 caps (Spain)

Sergio Ramos will lead Spain in the 2018 World Cup

Sergio Ramos comes into the World Cup with bad publicity after allegedly injuring Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah on purpose, in Real Madrid’s Champions League final match against Liverpool.

But that hasn’t perturbed the Spain captain one bit and he will hope to lead his side to another World Cup.

The Spaniard made his debut for the national team in 2005, amassing 151 caps, and a vital part of the Spanish defence which won the 2010 World Cup, and the 2008 and 2012 European Championship.

#1 Essam El-Hadary - 158 caps (Egypt)

The 45-year-old will be the oldest player to play in the World Cup

The oldest player to feature in any World Cup and the most-capped player in this World Cup, Egypt’s Essam El-Hadary is the African team’s #1 goalkeeper.

The 45-year-old goalkeeper made his international debut in 1996 and has won 158 caps for his country. El-Hadary will have several busy days in this World Cup as his side have been drawn against the firepower of Uruguay, hosts Russia, and Saudi Arabia.

The Egyptian currently plays for Saudi Arabian side, Al-Taawoun.