Football

Playing for your country is one of the highest honours for any footballer.

While some players are happy enough with one cap, others have become veterans for their nation as they repeatedly prove their worth in the international arena.

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Being able to play regularly for your country is no easy feat — particularly in an era where so much football is played at club level. 

But some players have managed to put together a lengthy list of appearances as they etch their name into the history books. 

MORE: Who has scored the most goals in international football?

Who has the most international caps ever?

Men’s football 

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is the current leader in men’s international football with 234 caps for his country.

Ronaldo’s endurance saw him eclipse Bader Al-Mutawa’s previous record for most international caps. Al-Mutawa earned the most recent of his 196 caps for Kuwait in 2022.

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Lionel Messi is now second on the list. Both Messi and Croatia great Luka Modric have gone past Al-Mutawa and are set to join Ronaldo in the 200 club at the 2026 World Cup

Top 10 most caps in men’s international football

Table updated as of October 6, 2026

*Denotes player still active in international football

Women’s football

When it comes to the record for most caps in football, men’s international stars do not even come close to the greats of the women’s game. In fact, Ronaldo’s tally would not be good enough to break into the top 10 on the women’s all-time list.

The outright record is held by Kristine Lilly, who won a quite remarkable 354 caps for the United States to become the leading appearance-maker in the international game. The USWNT dominates the list, with seven of the top 10 having turned out for USA.

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Top 10 most caps in women’s international football

Table updated as of October 6, 2026

*Denotes player still active in international football