Six World Cups: Only Three Players in Football History – Ronaldo, Messi, and Ochoa

The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, begins on the 12th of this month. This tournament represents the pinnacle of football ambition, and taking part in it is a source of pride for any player. The trophy itself is a key stepping stone to being recognized as the best in the world—no player who has failed to lift it can truly be called the king, which underscores how much the World Cup matters in football. Now, as the 2026 edition approaches, three stars are set to embark on their sixth World Cup journey. Competing in one or two tournaments is already an honor, but these three are about to "dance six times at the World Cup."

At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) is preparing for his sixth World Cup. Over his previous five appearances, he has recorded 22 matches, 8 goals, and 2 assists. His specific results are as follows:

• 2006 World Cup: Semi-finals, 6 matches, 1 assist.
• 2010 World Cup: Round of 16, 4 matches, 1 goal, 1 assist.
• 2014 World Cup: Group stage exit, 3 matches, 1 goal, 1 assist.
• 2018 World Cup: Round of 16, 4 matches, 4 goals.
• 2022 World Cup: Quarter-finals, 5 matches, 1 goal.

Ronaldo has never scored a goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup across five editions and has been named to the tournament's worst XI three times—these are blemishes on his World Cup résumé. With Portugal now boasting a wealth of talent, Ronaldo may have a chance to lead his team to glory in the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup.

At 38, Lionel Messi (Argentina) is set to appear in his sixth World Cup. So far, across five tournaments, he has played 26 matches, scoring 13 goals and providing 8 assists. His results are as follows:

• 2006 World Cup: Quarter-finals, 3 matches, 1 goal, 1 assist.
• 2010 World Cup: Quarter-finals, 5 matches, 0 goals, 1 assist.
• 2014 World Cup: Runners-up, 7 matches, 4 goals, 1 assist.
• 2018 World Cup: Round of 16, 4 matches, 1 goal, 2 assists.
• 2022 World Cup: Champions, 7 matches, 7 goals, 3 assists.

Argentina's squad for the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup may not be as strong as Portugal's, but the team is highly united, with Messi firmly at the core. Their fighting capacity remains formidable, and Argentina is still one of the top contenders for the title.

At 40, Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) is heading into his sixth World Cup. Across his previous five appearances, he has conceded 12 goals in 11 matches and kept 4 clean sheets. His specific results are:

• 2006 World Cup: Round of 16, did not play.
• 2010 World Cup: Round of 16, did not play.
• 2014 World Cup: Round of 16, 4 matches, 3 goals conceded, 2 clean sheets.
• 2018 World Cup: Round of 16, 4 matches, 6 goals conceded, 1 clean sheet.
• 2022 World Cup: Group stage exit, 3 matches, 3 goals conceded, 1 clean sheet.

Mexico is one of the three co-hosts of the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup, but the team's overall strength is limited; perhaps the Round of 16 is their ceiling. Ochoa, together with Ronaldo and Messi, will become the only three players to have taken part in six World Cups.