Football World Cup Families
It is not unusual for sporting success to run in families, largely in part to common fortunate genes. There are many examples of related athletes who have participated in the World Cup, below are examples of just some of the more interesting related competitors at the FIFA World Cup.
Father - Son
- The Mexican players Tomas Balcazar, Javier Hernandez Guitierez and Javier Hernandez Balcazar (also known as Chicharito) span three generations. Tomas Balcazar was a member of the 1954 World Cup squad. His son-in-law, Javier Hernandez Guitierez, played in 1986. Tomas' grandson and Javier's son Javier Hernandez Balcazar, represented Mexico in three World Cups (2010, 2014 and 2018) and is also their top scorer.
- Uruguayan Diego Forlan played in the 2010 World Cup, and was winner of the 2010 golden ball award, while his father Pablo Forlan was a part of Uruguay's 1966 and 1974 World Cup teams. Diego's grandfather and Pablo's father-in-law Juan Corazzo coached Uruguay at the 1962 FIFA World Cup.
- Spanish goalkeeper Miguel Reina was selected for the 1966 World Cup squad in England, though remained on the bench for the entire tournament. His son Pepe Reina was also part of Spain's squads for the 2006, 2010 2014 and 2018 World Cups.
- Jean Djorkaeff represented France at the 1966 FIFA World Cup. His son Youri Djorkaeff played for France at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.
- The father-son duo of Mazinho Alcântara and Thiago Alcântara represented two different countries. Mazinho was a member of the 1994 title-winning Brazil side, while Thiago played in 2018 for Spain.
- Paolo Maldini represented Italy at the 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups. His father, Cesare Maldini, represented Italy at the 1962 World Cup. Cesare also coached Italy at the 1998 World Cup
- Dutch player Danny Blind appeared at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. His son Daley Blind was part of the Netherlands World Cup team which finished third in 2014.
- Peter Schmeichel was Denmark's goalkeeper at the 1998 World Cup. His son Kasper Schmeichel played in goals at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
- Roy Andersson played three matches at the 1978 FIFA World Cup for Sweden. His son Patrik Andersson was part of the Sweden team that finished third at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Another son Daniel Andersson was a squad member for the 2002 and 2006 World Cup finals.
- Spanish player Xabi Alonso was part of the winning 2010 World Cup squad, and also represented his country at the 2006 and the 2014 World Cups. His father Periko Alonso represented Spain at the 1982 World Cup.
- Luis Pérez (Mexico, 1930) & Mario Pérez (Mexico, 1970)
- Martín Vantolrá (Spain, 1934) & José Vantolrá (Mexico, 1970)
- Roger Rio (France, 1934) & Patrice Rio (France, 1978)
- Domingos da Guia (Brazil, 1938) & Ademir da Guia (Brazil, 1974)
- Manuel Sanchís Martínez (Spain, 1966) & Manuel Sanchís Hontiyuelo (Spain, 1990)
- Nicolae Lupescu (Romania, 1970) & Ionuţ Lupescu (Romania, 1990/94)
- Jan Verheyen (Belgium, 1970) & Gert Verheyen (Belgium, 1998/2002)
- Julio Montero Castillo (Uruguay, 1970/74) & Paolo Montero (Uruguay, 2002)
- Anders Linderoth (Sweden, 1978) & Tobias Linderoth (Sweden, 2002/06)
- Ilija Petković (Yugoslavia, 1974) & Dušan Petković (Serbia & Montenegro, 2006)
- Ján Kozák (Czechoslovakia, 1982) & Ján Kozák (Slovakia, 2010)
- Włodimierz Smolarek (Poland, 1982/86) & Euzebiusz Smolarek (Poland, 2006)
- Cha Bum-Kun (South Korea, 1986) & Cha Du-Ri (South Korea, 2002/10)
- Vladimir Weiss (Czechoslovakia, 1990) & Vladimir Weiss (Slovakia, 2010)
- Alexandre Guimarães (Costa Rica, 1990) & Celso Borges (Costa Rica, 2014)
Brothers in the same team
- 2022 - Inaki Williams and Nico Williams are the first siblings to play for different countries at the FIFA World Cup. At the 2022 World Cup, Inaki is representing Ghana, while Nico is a part of the Spain team. The brothers were born in Spain to parents from Ghana.
- 2022 - Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia)
- 2022 - Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew (Ghana)
- 2022 - Eden Hazard and Thorgan Hazard (Belgium) - also at the 2018 World Cup
- 2022 - Lucas Hernandez and Theo Hernandez (France).
- 2014 - Kolo & Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast) - also in 2010 & 2006
- 2014 - Half-siblings Jerome Boateng and Kevin-Prince Boateng played for Germany and Ghana respectively. They were born to a Ghanaian father and raised by separate mothers in Germany - both also played in 2010.
- 2014 - The Ghana national team has also fielded three brothers, but not all at the same World Cup. Ibrahim Ayew and André Ayew played in 2010, and André played with another brother Jordan Ayew in 2014.
- 2010 - In the 2010 South Africa World Cup, the Honduras squad included brothers Jerry Palacios, Wilson Palacios and Jhony Palacios in their squad. They became the first trio of brothers to represent a single nation in the World Cup. Jhony however did not play in any match. Jerry and Wilson also took part in the 2014 World Cup.
- 2002 - Niko & Robert Kovac (Croatia)
- 2002 - Philip Degen and David Degen (Swizerland)
- 2002 - Marcin & Michal Zwelakow (Poland)
- 1998 - Michael & Brian Laudrup (Denmark)
- 1998 - Frank & Ronald de Boer (The Netherlands) also in 1994
- 1990 - Ronald & Erwin Koeman (The Netherlands)
- 1990 - Ibrahim & Hossam Hassan (Egypt)
- 1990 - Omam & André Kana-Biyik (Cameroon)
- 1990 - Eissa & Ibrahim Meir Abdulrahman (UAE)
- 1982 - Karlheinz & Bernd Forster (Germany)
- 1978 - René & Willy van de Kerkhof (The Netherlands) - also in 1974
- 1974 - Roger & Guy Saint-Vil (Haiti)
- 1974 - Fritz & Marion Leandré (Haiti)
- 1966 - Jack & Bobby Charlton (England)
- 1954 - Ottmar & Fritz Walter (Germany)
- 1930 - Lucien & Jean Laurent (France)
Sources: The data for the Father/Son players was originally from a list published by Marcelo Leme de Arruda of the The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
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