Most appearances in FIFA World Cup finals by a football player
- Who
- Antonio Carbajal, Lothar Matthäus, Rafael Marquez, Andres Guardado, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo
- What
- 5 total number
- Where
- Qatar
- When
- 24 November 2022
The most appearances in FIFA World Cup finals tournaments by a football player (male) is 5, achieved by Antonio Carbajal (Mexico) in 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962 and 1966; equalled by Lothar Matthäus (Germany) in 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998; Rafael Marquez (Mexico) in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018; and Andres Guardado (Mexico), Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also made the Italy squad for five World Cups, but did not play in 1998; Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa also featured in five squads but did not play in 2006 and 2010. Lionel Messi holds the record for most World Cup finals games played, with 26.