WORLD CUP 2026 REVIEW – PART 18

Marc Pujol, first ever player in 7 World Cup editions

The 2026 World Cup have not only produced the first ever participants of 6 final stages (Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi) but also the first ever participant of 7 editions, considering qualifying stage as well.
Marc Pujol, an Andorra’s midfielder, has played in the 2026 campaign only one qualifier, on 21 March 2025 against Latvia (0-1), and it was enough for setting a new world record.
Pujol, aged 42 then, held his first World Cup qualifier back in the last century, on 16 August 2000 (against Estonia 0-1); the 2002 World Cup campaign was thus the first of his total and unprecedented 7.
Back in the past, famous Northern-Irish goalkeeper Pat Jennings was the first to appear in 6 World Cup campaigns, from 1966 to 1986, progressing to the final stages in the last two of them (1982 and 1986).
Since then, his feat was repeated by 16 other players more (including Pujol who managed to surpass him).
They are listed below, with details of their appearances in every edition (Q – qualifiers, F – final stage).