With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just days away, anticipation is building across the globe. While this tournament promises the possibility of new records being set, certain historical benchmarks remain untouchable—most notably a record held by Argentine legend Diego Maradona.
Maradona holds the distinction of being the most fouled player in World Cup history. Since detailed statistics began being recorded in 1970, he participated in four World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994) and endured a staggering 152 fouls across just 21 matches. This translates to an average of 7.23 fouls per match, with over 100 of those fouls occurring during the 1986 Mexico and 1990 Italy tournaments alone.
By comparison, some of today’s footballing icons fall well short of this mark. The following table illustrates the World Cup foul statistics of Maradona alongside several contemporary stars:
| Player | Country | World Cups | Matches Played | Total Fouls | Fouls per Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Maradona | Argentina | 4 | 21 | 152 | 7.23 |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 5 | 26 | 75 | 2.88 |
| Jairzinho | Brazil | 3 | 20 | 64 | 3.2 |
| Neymar | Brazil | 3 | 15 | 60 | 4.0 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 3 | 22 | 58 | 2.63 |
Currently, Lionel Messi sits second on the list with 75 fouls across five World Cups, averaging 2.88 fouls per game. Brazil’s Jairzinho and Neymar follow, with 64 and 60 fouls respectively, while Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo has been fouled 58 times over 22 World Cup matches, averaging 2.63 per game.
Even if Messi, Neymar, and Ronaldo feature in the 2026 tournament, it is highly unlikely that Maradona’s record will be challenged. Modern football is less physically confrontational, with stricter rules, enhanced player protection, and VAR technology significantly reducing the frequency of harsh fouls. Experts note that football during Maradona’s era was far more combative and physically demanding, contributing to his unparalleled tally.
Regarding the upcoming tournament, Argentina has been drawn into Group J alongside Austria, Algeria, and Jordan, kicking off their campaign against Algeria on 16 June. Portugal will compete in Group K, facing Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the intercontinental playoff winner. Brazil is in Group C, with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland as opponents, beginning against Morocco on 13 June.
However, Messi’s participation remains uncertain, while Neymar must fully recover from injury to feature. Ronaldo has confirmed he will play, though the 2026 edition may well be his final World Cup appearance.
Fans worldwide will eagerly watch these stars compete, but even the finest talents of the modern era may find Maradona’s remarkable record simply untouchable.