Some players win the FIFA World Cup and become legends in a moment. Others take a longer road. They keep showing up, tournament after tournament, carrying their teams, playing more matches than most players ever will. And still, somehow, the trophy never comes. That’s what makes this list interesting. It’s not about failure. It’s about how football doesn’t always reward even the most consistent careers.
That said, let’s have a look at the players who have made the most appearances in the FIFA World Cup but have failed to win a trophy.
Which players have the most FIFA World Cup appearances but no trophy?
Cristiano Ronaldo – 22 games – Portugal
Still active, but realistically, 2026 looks like his final World Cup. He has been Portugal’s biggest name for years, delivering goals and moments, but the one trophy everyone expects him to have is still missing.
💔 Most World Cup appearances in history… but STILL no trophy to show for it.
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo-22 games
🇦🇷 Javier Mascherano—20 games
🇭🇷 Luka Modric—19 games
🇲🇽 Rafael Marquez—19 games
🇭🇷 Ivan Perisic—17 games😔 Football can be absolutely cruel — even to the absolute… pic.twitter.com/1yxmgtVhLh
— FIFA World Cup Stats (@alimo_philip) April 3, 2026
Javier Mascherano – 20 games – Argentina
Retired and will not play in 2026. He came painfully close in 2014 when Argentina reached the final. He did everything right in that tournament, but football doesn’t always give happy endings.
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Luka Modric – 19 games – Croatia
Still active, and has his eyes set on another World Cup. He led Croatia to one of their greatest moments in 2018. For a while, it looked like they could go all the way, but they fell at the last step.
Rafael Marquez – 19 games – Mexico
Retired now, and his World Cup journey is complete. Playing in five different tournaments is rare, but Mexico never managed to break into the final stages.
Ivan Perisic – 17 games – Croatia
Still active, though 2026 might come too late. He was one of Croatia’s most reliable players and even scored in a World Cup final, but couldn’t change the result.
In the end, this is what makes the FIFA World Cup different. You can have the talent, the experience, and the numbers, but it still might not be enough. Sometimes, the biggest prize in football just doesn’t come your way.
That said, for those players still playing, they will definitely give it their best to win the tournament this year.
Also Read: Incomplete Catches Rule In IPL 2026: Captains Issued Strict Warning
