Footballers who could emulate their fathers
FIFA spotlights the players who could follow in the footsteps of their dads by playing in the World Cup in six months’ time.
Mazinho and Thiago are among them. So, too, are the Alonsos, Djorkaeffs, Forlans, Maldinis, Reynas, Schmeichels and Thurams. Overall, 27 father and sons have played in the FIFA World Cup™. That figure is sure to increase in North America in six months’ time. FIFA spotlights the duos set to hike the haul.
Participations: 2 Appearances: 2 Goals: 0
The centre-back delivered a fine performance as USA shut down Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Jared Borgetti and Mexico to reach the Korea/Japan 2002 quarter-finals, where he again impressed in a 1-0 loss to Germany. Berhalter also went to Germany 2006 and coached his country at Qatar 2022.
9 caps | 1 goal Fresh from an excellent season for Vancouver Whitecaps, the midfielder received his first call-up from Mauricio Pochettino in May and scored in USA’s 5-1 thrashing of Uruguay last month.
Did you know? Gregg is the godson of Boston Red Sox demigod Carl Yastrzemski. Gregg was in the colours of their arch-enemies, the New York Yankees, shortly before Qatar 2022, throwing the first pitch at one of their games. “He wouldn’t be too happy with me!” admitted Berhalter.
Participations: 1 Appearances: 2 Goals: 0 Chiesa was handicapped by the fact that, during his career, Italy produced elite forwards like fine wine. The Parma player went to his only World Cup as a late replacement for Fabrizio Ravanelli in 1998.
51 caps | 7 goals The all-action winger played a fundamental function in Italy’s UEFA EURO conquest in 2021. Chiesa has not, however, played international football in 18 months and turned down call-ups from Gennaro Gattuso this year as he fights to regain full fitness. Hindering the 28-year-old’s hopes of a trip to North America is his lack of playing time at Liverpool. Heightening them is the Nazionale’s lack of creators.
Did you know? Enrico and Federico became the first father and son to score in the UEFA EURO.
Participations: 1 Appearances: 3 Goals: 0
The winger helped Portugal pummel Poland 4-0 at Korea/Japan 2002, but couldn’t prevent their first-phase elimination.
13 caps | 3 goals The 5ft 5ins winger snatched Portugal victory over Czechia in their EURO 2024 opener, and scored again as they sunk Germany in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals in June. Did you know? Three of Sergio’s five sons became pro footballers. Sergio Jr and Rodrigo played under Sergio Sr at Porto.
Participations: 2 Appearances: 6 Goals: 1 The midfielder scored a glorious free-kick in the third-place play-off at the 2002 World Cup. Lee also represented Korea Republic at the 2006 finals.
13 caps | 1 goal The left-back got the only goal as Korea Republic beat Ghana last month. Excellent going forward, the 23-year-old has been in fine form for Austria Vienna. Did you know? Lee Eulyong quit his pursuit of a football career to work in a nightclub during his youth. He only turned pro when he was 23.
Participations: 1 Appearances: 0 The Norwich City man was Scotland’s third-choice goalkeeper at Italy 1990 behind Jim Leighton and Andy Goram.
20 caps A former England youth international, Gunn has been Scotland’s first-choice goalkeeper since switching allegiances in 2023. Gunn is currently back-up to Matz Sels at Nottingham Forest. Did you know? Bryan met his wife Susan, Angus’s mother, while on a lads’ holiday in Spain. Despite pretending he was a joiner, because he felt footballers had bad reputations, they were engaged within 48 hours.
Participations: 1 Appearances: 2 Goals: 0 Haaland played at right-back in Norway’s first World Cup game in 56 years, helping them edge Mexico in the US capital in 1994. He was suspended for their final group game, which ended in a goalless draw with Republic of Ireland and saw the Nordic nation cruelly eliminated on goals scored.
48 caps | 55 goals Norway, who have France and Senegal for company in Group I, face a tough task at their first global finals in 28 years. With one of the most devastating goalscorers in recent decades at their spearhead, however, anything is possible. Did you know? In October, Erling became only the sixth footballer in history – and first in 53 years – to reach 50 international goals in fewer than 50 caps. He emulated Denmark’s Poul Nielsen (36 appearances), West Germany’s Gerd Muller (41), Hungary duo Ferenc Puskas (41) and Sandor Kocsis (42), and Brazil’s Pele (49).
Participations: 3 Appearances: 12 Goals: 3 ‘The Maradona of the Carpathians’ was central to Romania reaching the knockout phase at three consecutive World Cups. The attacking midfielder was at his electrifying best at USA 1994, inspiring an unforgettable 3-2 victory over Argentina and registering seven goal involvements in five games as Anghel Iordanescu’s side made the quarter-finals.
51 caps | 8 goals If Romania make it, Hagi, who has scored three goals in his last five internationals, will be an automatic pick. The question is whether Mircea Lucescu’s side can. They will be the underdogs in their UEFA play-off semi-finals against Türkiye.
Did you know? Ianis is also the nephew of Gheorghe Popescu and cousin of footballer Nicolas Popescu. The Gheorghes were best mates who married sisters, Marilena and Luminita.
Participations: 3 Appearances: 17 Goals: 11 The blond striker played a fundamental function as West Germany conquered Italy 1990. Klinsmann also struck five goals in five games at USA 1994, and starred at France 1998.
0 caps The 28-year-old’s displays for Cesena in the Italian B earned him back-to-back call-ups from Mauricio Pochettino in late 2025. Several men are scrapping for three goalkeeping berths in USA’s World Cup squad.
Did you know? Jurgen’s exhibition against the Netherlands in the last 16 was voted the best individual performance of Italy 1990 by media members. After his strike partner Rudi Voller was sent off in the first quarter of the game, “Klinsmann played for them both in a brilliant, almost perfect performance,” according to Suddeutsche Zeitung.
Participations: 1 Appearances: 4 Goals: 2
Kluivert was sent off on his World Cup debut, a goalless draw with rivals Belgium in 1998. He returned to score in the quarter-final victory over Argentina, and again against Brazil in the semis, which the Netherlands went on to lose on penalties. At the time of Korea/Japan 2002, Kluivert was fresh from scoring 25 goals in three consecutive campaigns for Barcelona, but the Netherlands surprisingly failed to reach the finals after finishing behind Republic of Ireland and winners Portugal in their qualification group.
11 caps | 0 goals The winger enjoyed a breakout season for Bournemouth in 2024/25. It helped him become an automatic choice in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squads.
Did you know? Sons are habitually taller than their fathers, but it’s not the case with the Kluiverts. Patrick (1.91 metres) towers over Justin (1.72m).
Participations: 3 Appearances: 13 Goals: 5 The dreadlocked forward dropped two Bulgarians to the Rose Bowl turf and scored as Sweden bashed Bulgaria to bag bronze at USA 1994. Larsson also struck three goals in four games at Korea/Japan 2002, and netted a last-gasp equaliser against England at Germany 2006 that snatched Sweden a spot in the last 16.
8 caps | 1 goal The attacker made his first Sweden appearance in four years in June, setting up a Ken Sema goal in a 4-3 win over Algeria, and will hope that leads to more chances under new coach Graham Potter. Sweden play Ukraine in the Path B semi-finals of the UEFA play-offs. Did you know? Jordan and Henrik, then 15 and 41, amazingly appeared together for Hogaborgs in the Swedish fourth tier in 2013.
Participations: 1 Appearances: 2 Goals: 0 The striker helped Jamaica register their only World Cup win against Japan in 1998.
77 caps | 4 goals The Houston Dynamo defender is an established figure for the Reggae Boyz. Jamaica play New Caledonia in the Pathway 1 semi-finals in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. Congo DR await the victors. Did you know? Damion scored his first international goal in the city he now calls home: Houston, Texas. If Jamaica qualify, they will play their first game of the finals in Houston.
Participations: 4 Appearances: 23 Goals: 0 One of the greatest defenders of all time, Maldini seized bronze in 1990 and silver in 1994. The Milanese held the record for the most minutes played in the World Cup until outranked by Lionel Messi in 2022.
6 caps | 0 goals The playmaker has been called up regularly by Gennara Gattuso, who played alongside his old man, but has struggled for minutes at Atalanta this season. Did you know? Cesare Maldini, who represented Italy at Chile 1962, Paulo and Daniel could become the first grandfather, son and grandson in World Cup history. Javier Hernandez’s father and grandfather played in the competition, but Tomas Balcazar was Javier Hernendez senior’s father-in-law.
Participations: 2 Appearances: 8 Goals: 0 As a right-back, Mellberg helped Sweden top Group F above England, Argentina and Nigeria at Korea/Japan 2002, before a golden goal from Senegal’s Henri Camara sent them home in the last 16. As centre-back and captain, he excelled at Germany 2006, where the Swedes were sunk by the hosts in the first knockout round.
0 caps Sweden face Ukraine in Path B semi-finals in the UEFA play-offs, with the winners moving on to play Poland or Albania. The 19-year-old earned his first international call-up and played at the FIFA Club World Cup™ in the middle months of 2025, but has since been out with injury. Did you know? Mellberg, with TV cameras filming and spectaculars aplenty watching, scythed down Sweden team-mate Freddie Ljungberg during a training session just days before their Korea/Japan 2002 opener. Shellshocked team-mates then separated the pair as they went for one another.
Participations: 3 Appearances: 11 Goals: 0 The midfield enforcer was a key figure for Argentina at three World Cups. At France 1998, as captain, Simeone was involved in an infamous incident which led to England’s David Beckham being sent off in the last 16 at France 1998, with Daniel Passarella’s men going on to win on penalties.
9 caps | 1 goal The 22-year-old has become important player under his father at Atletico Madrid and an ever-present in Lionel Scaloni’s squad. Simeone scored in Argentina’s thumping 4-1 win over Brazil in March. Did you know? When Diego returned to live in Madrid in 2011, he continued to enjoy meals with his three sons, who were all aspiring footballers. Dad would have lunch and chat to Giovanni, Gianluca and Giuliano via video call as they enjoyed their dinner.
Participations: 1 Appearances: 3 Goals: 0 The Tottenham goalkeeper conceded just one goal in three games to help Norway earn four points at USA 1994, but they cruelly suffered group-stage elimination due to goals scored.
33 caps | 4 goals The midfielder is having a fine season for Sassuolo. A couple of hours north in Milan, Thorstvedt helped Norway down Italy 4-1 and clinch World Cup qualification. Did you know? Erik and Alfie Haaland played together at USA 1994. Kristian and Erling could become the first sons of World Cup team-mates to play together in the tournament.
Participations: 3 Appearances: 16 Goals: 2
Thuram scored in only one of 142 internationals. It was in a 1998 World Cup semi-final, and he did twice in it, rallying France to a fightback win over Croatia. The right-back then performed infallibly as France flogged Brazil in the final, and took home the adidas Bronze Ball. Thuram also finished a runner-up at Germany 2006.
4 caps | 0 goals His older brother Marcus broke through the backdoor into France’s squad for Qatar 2022, and Khephren is now en route to following suit. The 24-year-old Juventus midfielder has played in three of Les Bleus’ last four matches.
Did you know? Lilian hails from Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, an overseas region of France. Marcus and Khephren were born in Italy, where their father played club football, in Parma and Reggio Emilia respectively.
Participations: 1 Appearances: 1 Goals: 0 The Schalke midfielder made one substitute appearance for Belgium at Korea/Japan 2002.
1 cap | 0 goals There’s strict competition for wing berths in the Belgium squad, with the likes of Jeremy Doku, Malick Fofana, Dodi Lukebakio, Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Trossard in contention, but Vermant has been in fine form for Club Brugge and made his international debut in November.
Did you know? Romeo Vermant is a fourth-generation Club Brugge footballer. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather all wore the blue and black stripes.
Participations: 3 Appearances: 12 Goals: 5
One of the greatest players in World Cup history, Zidane inspired France to glory on home soil in 1998 and into the final eight years later.
1 cap The second of Zinedine’s four footballing sons, Luca played alongside Dayot Upamecano for France at the FIFA U-20 World Cup™. After switching allegiances, however, the Granada goalkeeper made his Algeria debut in October.
Did you know? Zidane completed all 11 of his attempted dribbles against Brazil during an epic display in the Germany 2006 quarter-finals.