Progression of association football caps record explained

This is a progressive list of men's association footballers who have held or co-held the world record for international caps, beginning with Billy MacKinnon, the only man to play in all of Scotland's first seven internationals.

Criteria

The criteria used by national FAs in considering a match as a full international were not historically fixed. Particularly for the early decades, and until more recently for FAs outside UEFA and CONMEBOL, counts of caps were often considered unreliable. RSSSF and IFFHS have spent much effort trying to produce definitive lists of full international matches, and corresponding data on players' international caps and goals. Using this data, the following records can be retrospectively produced. Note that, at the time, these records may not have been recognised.

One point of note is that early matches by the England Amateur side were played against the full national side of opponents. These matches are counted as full internationals by the IFFHS and the opposing FAs, though not by the (English) FA. This affects Vivian Woodward, who won 23 full caps and 30 amateur caps; the IFFHS considers him as the record-holder from 1909, when his total of 31 caps included 11 amateur matches.

Before 1977, the world record holder was always European, except when Ángel Romano narrowly overtook Imre Schlosser. After 1977, many sources, including FIFA[1] [2] and the Guinness Book of Records,[3] reported later European cap records as world records. Subsequent validation of the caps claimed by Cha Bum-Kun, Hussein Saeed, Majed Abdullah, and Adnan Al Talyani has shown that, even stripping out ineligible matches, these players exceeded the contemporary European counts. Similarly, Hossam Hassan of Egypt was reported as having broken Lothar Matthäus' putative record of 150 caps in 2001.[4]

In August 2021, four retired Malaysian internationals were retrospectively admitted to the FIFA Century Club,[5] with Soh Chin Ann's 1984 appearance against North Yemen recognised as a record 195th cap,[5] thereby annulling the putative record totals achieved in intervening decades by Cha, Saeed, Abdullah, Al Talyani, Claudio Suárez, Mohamed Al-Deayea, Ahmed Hassan, and Bader Al Mutawa.

On 14 June 2022, Bader Al-Mutawa surpassed Soh Chin Ann's record of 195 matches recognised by FIFA and he become the men's all-time record appearance holder with 196 caps.

On 10 December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo equalled Al Mutawa's record of 196 matches recognised by FIFA in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals against Morocco in Qatar.

On 23 March 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed Al Mutawa and become the men's all-time record appearance holder with 197 caps.

On 20 June 2023, he reached 200 matches and become the first male professional footballer to do it.

The women's international cap record is 354, held by Kristine Lilly of the United States, who exceeded Soh's total with her 196th cap against Norway in the 2000 Algarve Cup.[6]

World record

Player Country Cap Date Venue Opponent Score Notes
7 1877-03-03 3–1 [7] [8]
8 1878-03-02 7–2
9 1879-04-05 4–5
9 1881-03-12 6–1 [9]
10 1881-03-14 5–1
10 1882-03-25 0–5 [10]
11 1883-03-12 0–3 [11]
12 1883-03-17 1–1
12 1884-03-17 4–0 British Home Championship[12]
13 1885-02-28 4–0 British Home Championship
14 1885-03-14 1–1 British Home Championship
15 1885-03-21 1–1 British Home Championship
16 1886-03-27 1–1 British Home Championship
17 1886-03-29 3–1 British Home Championship
18 1887-02-26 4–0 British Home Championship
19 1887-03-19 2–3 British Home Championship
19 1893-04-05 4–3 British Home Championship[13]
20 1894-02-24 1–4 British Home Championship
21 1894-03-03 2–2 British Home Championship[14]
22 1894-03-31 1–3 British Home Championship
23 1895-03-09 0–9 British Home Championship[15]
24 1895-03-30 1–3 British Home Championship
26 1896-03-07 0–2 British Home Championship[16]
27 1896-03-28 3–3 British Home Championship
28 1897-02-20 0–6 British Home Championship[17]
29 1897-03-06 4–3 British Home Championship
30 1897-03-27 1–5 British Home Championship
30 1909-03-15 2–0 British Home Championship[18]
31 1909-05-29 4–2
32 1909-05-31 8–2
33 1909-06-01 8–1
34 1909-11-06 7–0
35 1909-12-11 9–1
36 1910-02-12 1–1 British Home Championship
36 1911-03-13 0–3 British Home Championship[19]
37 1912-03-02 0–1 British Home Championship
38 1912-03-11 0–2 British Home Championship
39 1912-04-13 2–3 British Home Championship
40 1913-01-18 1–0 British Home Championship
41 1913-03-03 0–0 British Home Championship
42 1913-03-17 3–4 British Home Championship
43 1914-01-19 1–2 British Home Championship
44 1914-02-28 0–0 British Home Championship
45 1914-03-16 0–2 British Home Championship[20]
45 1915-05-30 2–1 [21]
46 1915-10-03 2–4
47 1915-11-07 6–2
48 1916-06-04 2–1
49 1916-10-01 2–3
50 1916-11-05 3–3
51 1917-05-06 1–1
52 1917-06-03 6–2
53 1917-07-15 4–1
54 1917-10-07 2–1
55 1917-11-04 2–1
56 1918-04-14 2–0
57 1918-05-12 2–1
58 1918-06-02 2–0
59 1918-10-06 3–0
60 1919-11-09 3–2
61 1920-10-24 0–1
62 1921-04-24 1–4
63 1921-06-05 3–0
64 1921-11-06 4–2
65 1921-12-18 1–0
65 1924-10-26 3–1 Copa América[22]
66 1924-11-02 0–0 Copa América
66 1926-06-06 2–1
67 1926-10-28 6–0 Copa América
68 1926-11-01 6–1 Copa América
68 1927-04-10 0–6
69 1927-07-14 0–1 Copa Newton
69 1939-11-12 3–1 [23]
70 1940-03-03 1–1
71 1940-03-31 0–3
72 1941-04-20 2–1
73 1941-12-28 2–3
74 1942-01-01 0–3
75 1942-02-01 2–1
76 1942-03-08 2–0
77 1942-10-18 3–5
78 1942-11-01 0–3
79 1942-11-15 3–1
80 1943-06-14 0–1
80 1956-06-09 2–2 [24]
81 1956-07-15 4–1
82 1956-09-16 3–1 Dr. Gerö Cup
83 1956-09-23 1–0
84 1956-10-07 2–1
85 1956-10-14 2–0
85 1957-05-19 1–1 World Cup qualifying[25]
86 1957-10-19 4–0 British Home Championship
87 1957-11-06 2–3 British Home Championship
88 1957-11-27 4–0
89 1958-04-19 4–0 British Home Championship
90 1958-05-07 2–1
91 1958-05-11 0–5
92 1958-05-18 1–1
93 1958-06-08 2–2 World Cup
94 1958-06-11 0–0 World Cup
95 1958-06-15 2–2 World Cup
96 1958-06-17 0–1 World Cup
97 1958-10-04 3–3 British Home Championship
98 1958-10-22 5–0
99 1958-11-26 2–2 British Home Championship
100 1959-04-11 1–0 British Home Championship
101 1959-05-06 2–2
102 1959-05-13 0–2
103 1959-05-17 1–4
104 1959-05-24 1–2
105 1959-05-28 8–1
105 1970-06-11 1–0 World Cup[26]
106 1970-06-14 2–3 World Cup
106 1973-06-10 2–1 [27]
107 1973-06-14 0–2
108 1973-11-14 0–1
108 1977-03-01 6–4 World Cup qualification
109 1977-03-03 0–0 World Cup qualification
110 1977-03-06 0–1 World Cup qualification
111 1977-03-08 1–1 World Cup qualification
112 1977-07-16 1–0 1977 Merdeka Tournament
113 1977-07-18 3–0 1977 Merdeka Tournament
114 1977-07-21 1–1 1977 Merdeka Tournament
115 1977-07-23 0–0 1977 Merdeka Tournament
116 1977-07-26 1–1 1977 Merdeka Tournament
117 1977-07-29 5–1 1977 Merdeka Tournament
118 1977-09-08 3–1 1977 President´s Cup
119 1977-09-13 0–3 1977 President´s Cup
120 1977-09-15 1–1 1977 President´s Cup
121 1977-11-19 1–2 1977 SEA Games
122 1977-11-21 5–0 1977 SEA Games
123 1977-11-25 9–1 1977 SEA Games
124 1977-11-26 2–0 1977 SEA Games
125 1978-04-26 0–1 1978 King's Cup
126 1978-05-05 3–2 1978 King's Cup
127 1978-07-12 1–3 1978 Merdeka Tournament
128 1978-07-14 6–0 1978 Merdeka Tournament
129 1978-07-16 2–0 1978 Merdeka Tournament
130 1978-07-19 1–0 1978 Merdeka Tournament
131 1978-07-21 4–1 1978 Merdeka Tournament
132 1978-07-23 5–2 1978 Merdeka Tournament
133 1978-07-26 1–2 1978 Merdeka Tournament
134 1978-09-09 2–1 1978 President´s Cup
135 1978-09-11 2–2 1978 President´s Cup
136 1978-12-10 1–0 8th Asian Games
137 1978-12-12 1–0 8th Asian Games
138 1978-12-17 1–2 8th Asian Games
139 1978-12-18 0–1 8th Asian Games
140 1978-12-19 1–7 8th Asian Games
141 1979-05-02 3–1 Asian Cup qualification
142 1979-05-05 4–1 Asian Cup qualification
143 1979-05-09 1–1 Asian Cup qualification
144 1979-05-11 0–0 Asian Cup qualification
145 1979-05-14 0–1 Asian Cup qualification
146 1979-06-27 1–1 1979 Merdeka Tournament
147 1979-06-29 4–1 1979 Merdeka Tournament
148 1979-07-01 4–2 1979 Merdeka Tournament
149 1979-07-04 1–1 1979 Merdeka Tournament
150 1979-07-09 3–0 1979 Merdeka Tournament
151 1979-09-23 2–0 1979 SEA Games
152 1979-09-25 0–0 1979 SEA Games
153 1979-09-26 0–0 1979 SEA Games
154 1979-09-28 1–0 1979 SEA Games
155 1979-09-30 1–0 1979 SEA Games
156 1979-11-14 1–3 Friendly match
157 1979-11-25 0–4 1979 King's Cup
158 1980-03-12 3–0 Friendly match
159 1980-03-16 3–1 Friendly match
160 1980-09-16 1–1 1980 AFC Asian Cup
161 1980-09-18 1–3 1980 AFC Asian Cup
162 1980-09-20 2–0 1980 AFC Asian Cup
163 1980-09-22 1–1 1980 AFC Asian Cup
164 1980-10-15 2–0 1980 Merdeka Tournament
165 1980-10-17 3–2 1980 Merdeka Tournament
166 1980-10-20 2–2 1980 Merdeka Tournament
167 1980-10-23 1–1 1980 Merdeka Tournament
168 1980-10-27 2–1 1980 Merdeka Tournament
169 1980-10-30 2–0 1980 Merdeka Tournament
170 1980-11-02 1–2 1980 Merdeka Tournament
171 1981-04-05 1–1 1981 Ovaltine Cup
172 1981-04-17 1–2 1981 Ovaltine Cup
173 1981-04-21 1–2 World Cup qualification
174 1981-04-25 0–4 World Cup qualification
175 1981-08-30 0–2 1981 Merdeka Tournament
176 1981-09-04 0–1 1981 Merdeka Tournament
177 1981-09-09 2–0 1981 Merdeka Tournament
178 1981-09-12 0–1 1981 Merdeka Tournament
179 1983-05-28 1–2 1983 SEA Games
180 1983-05-30 0–0 1983 SEA Games
181 1983-06-05 5–0 1983 SEA Games
182 1983-09-19 7–0 1983 Merdeka Tournament
183 1984-03-31 0–2 Friendly match
184 1984-04-03 1–6 Friendly match
185 1984-04-08 0–0 Friendly match
186 1984-08-12 1–0 1984 Ovaltine Cup
187 1984-08-18 1–1 1984 Ovaltine Cup
188 1984-08-24 1–0 1984 Merdeka Tournament
189 1984-08-26 2–2 1984 Merdeka Tournament
190 1984-08-29 3–1 1984 Merdeka Tournament
191 1984-09-04 5–1 1984 Merdeka Tournament
192 1984-10-11 5–0 Asian Cup qualification
193 1984-10-14 1–2 Asian Cup qualification
194 1984-10-16 0–0 Asian Cup qualification
195 1984-10-18 4–1 Asian Cup qualification[28]
195 2022-06-11 4–1 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification[29]
196 2022-06-14 3–0 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification
196 2022-12-10 1–0 2022 FIFA World Cup[30]
197 2023-03-23 4–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
198 2023-03-26 6–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
199 2023-06-17 3–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
200 2023-06-20 0–1 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
201 2023-09-08 0–1 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
202 2023-10-13 3–2 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
203 2023-10-16 0–5 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
204 2023-11-16 0–2 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
205 2023-11-19 2–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
206 2024-03-26 2–0
207 2024-06-11 3–0
208 2024-06-18 2–1 UEFA Euro 2024
209 2024-06-22 3–0 UEFA Euro 2024
210 2024-06-26 2–0 UEFA Euro 2024
211 2024-07-01 0–0 UEFA Euro 2024
212 2024-07-05 0–0 UEFA Euro 2024

See also

References

General

Specific

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Matthäus sets new caps record against Netherlands . https://web.archive.org/web/20091003123759/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=72312.html. dead. October 3, 2009. 22 February 2000 . FIFA . 14 February 2010 . Matthäus was level with Sweden's Thomas Ravelli, both totalling 143 caps..
  2. News: World Cup '90; No. 120 Gives Shilton Record . Vecsey. George. 17 June 1990. The New York Times. 87. Shilton was honored in a brief ceremony before the game for breaking the world record, set by Pat Jennings of Northern Ireland. Jennings made his 119th and final appearance in the 1986 World Cup. . 15 February 2010.
  3. Book: McFarlan, Donald . The Guinness Book of Records 1990 . Guinness . London . 1989 . 36th . 248 . 0-85112-341-4 . registration .
  4. Web site: Egyptian striker breaks caps record. https://web.archive.org/web/20080322085529/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=75861.html. dead. March 22, 2008. Gleeson . Mark . 8 January 2001. FIFA. 14 February 2010.
  5. News: Bernama . Four Malaysian legends join Fifa Century Club . 1 March 2022 . . 4 August 2021 . en.
  6. Web site: Shannon . David . Kristine Lilly — International Matches . 8 March 2022 . . 12 January 2001.
  7. Web site: IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics). IFFHS.
  8. https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/scot-intres1880.html Scotland – International Matches 1872–1880
  9. http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=823&playerID=112988&squadID=1&size=3 Henry McNeil
  10. http://www.eu-football.info/_player.php?id=17033 John Price
  11. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesw/wal-intres.html International matches of Wales
  12. http://www.thefa.com/England/MensSeniorTeam/Archive.aspx?p=339748 Norman Bailey
  13. http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=19930 Stanfield Olphert Martin
  14. http://www.thefa.com/England/MensSeniorTeam/Archive.aspx?x=50 England Ireland v England – 1894-03-03
  15. http://www.thefa.com/England/MensSeniorTeam/Archive.aspx?x=53 England v Ireland – 1895-03-09
  16. http://www.thefa.com/England/MensSeniorTeam/Archive.aspx?x=56 Ireland v England – 1896-03-07
  17. http://www.thefa.com/England/MensSeniorTeam/Archive.aspx?x=59 England v Ireland – 1897-02-20
  18. https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/woodward-intl.html Vivian John Woodward – International Appearances
  19. http://www.eu-football.info/_player.php?id=13789 Meredith William Henry
  20. http://www.thefa.com/England/MensSeniorTeam/Archive.aspx?x=118 WALES v ENGLAND – 1914-03-16
  21. http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/schlosser-intl.html Imre Schlosser-Lakatos
  22. https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/romano-intl.html Angel Romano
  23. https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/minelli-intl.html Severino Minelli
  24. http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/puskas-intl.html Ferenc Puskás
  25. https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/wright-intl.html Billy Wright
  26. https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/charlton-intl.html Bobby Charlton
  27. https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/moore-intl.html Bobby Moore
  28. Web site: FIFA Century Club . FIFA . 1 March 2022 . 10 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211109100123/https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/7a29d8a2cac79416/original/Century-Club-01112021.pdf . 9 November 2021 . live .
  29. https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/mutawa-intl.html Bader Al-Mutawa
  30. Web site: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro - Century of International Appearances. Mamrud. Roberto. 1 September 2021. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 10 December 2022.

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