The 39-year-old Japanese defender Yuto Nagatomo has made history in world football by becoming the first Asian player to participate in five World Cup tournaments. The veteran “Samurai” came on as a substitute in the 75th minute during Japan’s final group stage match of the 2026 World Cup against Sweden, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Nagatomo made his World Cup debut in 2010 in South Africa and subsequently featured in the tournaments held in Brazil (2014), Russia (2018), and Qatar (2022). Known for his tenacity and immense dedication, the defender has earned over 140 caps for the national team.
Currently, the record holders for the most World Cup appearances are Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa. Each of these players has competed in six World Cup tournaments.
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