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For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup, the 2018 edition will be hosted by Russia. With eleven venues across Russia hosting all the games during the one-month extravaganza, fans will be treated to some spectacular football during the 21st edition of the tournament.
The history of the tournament has produced a number of stars since the inaugural 1930 Uruguay WC, but only a handful of players have played in more than one World Cup amassing many appearances
Here we take a look at five players with the most FIFA World Cup appearances.
#5 Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona has represented Argentina in four different World Cups in the 82, 86, 90 and 94 editions of the tournament. He captained the Argentinian side to glory in the 86 edition in Mexico and led them to a final in Italy 90 only to lose to Germany, the same time Argentina got the better off in 86.
Maradona has appeared 21 times for his country and is fifth on the list of players with the most World Cup appearances. A scorer of some truly great World Cup goals and controversial ones, Maradona was an outstanding player with skills and ability on a level above the rest.
One of the greatest footballers to have graced the game and the man that single-handedly won Argentina the World Cup in 86, Maradona is a living legend. His World Cup record stands at 12 wins, 4 losses and 5 draws across four tournaments.
#4 Uwe Seeler
Level with Maradona on the number of World Cup appearances, Uwe Seeler has played 21 games, in the history of the tournament, across 4 editions, in 58,62,66 and 70. The German striker, during his four appearances in four different World Cups, did not lift the trophy but did finish runner-up to England in 1966 and in third place in '70, after bowing out to Italy in the semifinal.
Despite not winning the World Cup, Uwe Seeler had an exemplary goalscoring record and is still considered one of the country's finest strikers. The German's record at the competition stands at 13 wins, 4 draws and 4 losses.
The German forward was a potent goal threat and notched 9 goals across his four appearances in different tournaments. However, Seeler is fourth on the list of players with the most World Cup experience.
#3 Paolo Maldini
Legendary Italian and AC Milan defender, Paolo Maldini will be forever remembered the world over, as one of the greatest defenders to have ever graced the beautiful game. With a career spanning 2 decades, Maldini displayed courage, grit and passion for the game all throughout his career.
The versatile defender has played in 23 matches at the competition, across four editions in 90, 94, 98 and 02. The great Italian defender never claimed and lifted the trophy and the World Cup remains one of the only titles in world football, not claimed by Maldini.
The Italian defender enjoyed a fruitful career with Milan and stuck with the club until his retirement. His record at the tournament comprised of 14 wins, 6 draws and 3 losses.
#2 Miroslav Klose
The top scorer in World Cup history, Miroslav Klose has scored 16 goals in the tournament's history. The German striker played for his country in the 02, 06, 10 and 14 editions of the tournaments. He won the World Cup in Rio in 2014.
With 24 appearances in the history of the tournament, Klose is second on the list of players with the most appearances. The striker is one of the most decorated players in international history with incredible goalscoring stats.
The golden boot winner in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Klose has quite a number of records to his name. The German also enjoyed a successful club career with a number of clubs in Germany and a stint in Italy with Lazio. His record at the tournament stands at 17 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses.
#1 Lothar Matthaeus
Former German captain Lothar Matthaeus led his country to victory in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Matthaus is one of only three players along with Antonio Carbajal and Gianluigi Buffon to have appeared in five editions of the World Cup.
He appeared 25 times, during his stint in the national squad in the 82, 86, 90, 94 and 98 editions of the tournament. A box to box midfielder, Matthaeus guided the side for over two decades, enjoying one of the longest international careers, in the history of the game.
A decorated player in all aspects of the game, winning every trophy in world football, Lothar Matthaeus is a German and football legend. With 150 caps for Germany, he is also the most capped German footballer of all-time.
