Ronaldo, Baresi, Passarella, and a Host of Other World Champions Without a Single Minute Played

Tonight, the football world will discover whether Spain claims the World Cup or Argentina defends its title. Beyond that central question, another intriguing query arises: can someone become a world champion without ever stepping onto the pitch? FIFA's regulations provide a clear answer: yes. Any player included in the winning team's final squad is considered a champion, regardless of whether they played in every match or didn't log a single minute on the field.

FIFA's regulations are explicit in Article 24.1 regarding the final squad list: "Associations shall submit to FIFA a final list of a minimum of 23 and a maximum of 26 players." Regarding potential changes, Article 24.2 adds: "A player included in the final list may only be replaced by another from the provisional list in the event of serious injury or illness." For goalkeepers, Article 24.3 specifies: "A goalkeeper from the final list may be replaced by another from the provisional list in the event of serious injury or illness at any time during the final competition." In summary, Article 24.4 states: "FIFA will publish the final list of between 23 and 26 players and up to 27 coaching staff members when the deadline for submission expires." In addition to these four points, Article 45.8 must also be considered: "The teams ranked in the first three places will receive medals, which will be gold for the champion team, silver for the runner-up, and bronze for the third-placed team."

Ahead of the final, both Spain and Argentina have several players in their 26-man final squads who haven't played a single minute. For "La Roja," these are six individuals: David Raya, Joan García, Eric García, Alejandro Grimaldo, Martín Zubimendi, and Víctor Muñoz. For "La Albiceleste," there are two: Juan Musso and Gerónimo Rulli. In the history of the World Cup, 105 players have had the honor of becoming world champions without ever setting foot on the pitch. Notable names include Ronaldo at the 1994 USA World Cup, as well as Víctor Valdés and José Reina in South Africa in 2010, while Rulli already achieved this in Qatar in 2022. This list could grow further after the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

World Champions Without a Single Minute Played:

Qatar 2022 (Argentina): Franco Armani and Gerónimo Rulli.

Russia 2018 (France): Alphonse Areola and Adil Rami.

Brazil 2014 (Germany): Ron-Robert Zieler, Roman Weidenfeller, Kevin Großkreutz, Matthias Ginter, and Erik Durm.

South Africa 2010 (Spain): Raúl Albiol, Víctor Valdés, and Pepe Reina.

Germany 2006 (Italy): Angelo Peruzzi and Marco Amelia.

South Korea and Japan 2002 (Brazil): Dida and Rogério Ceni.

France 1998 (France): Lama and Charbonnier.

USA 1994 (Brazil): Ronaldo, Ronaldão, Zetti, and Gilmar.

Italy 1990 (Germany): Mill, Steiner, Hermann, and Köpke.

Mexico 1986 (Argentina): Passarella, Almiron, and Zelada.

Spain 1982 (Italy): Baresi, Vierchowod, Dossena, Selvaggi, Massaro, Galli, and Bordon.

Argentina 1978 (Argentina): Baley, La Volpe, Galván, Killer, and Pagnanini.

Germany 1974 (Germany): Nigbur, Kleff, Kremers, and Cappellmann.

Mexico 1970 (Brazil): Aldo, Leão, Joel Camargo, and Baldochi.

England 1966 (England): Springett, Bonetti, Armfield, Byrne, Hunter, Flowers, and Eastham.

Chile 1962 (Brazil): Castilho, Jair Marinho, Bellini, Jurandir, Altair, Zequinha, Mengálvio, Coutinho, Pepe, and Jair da Costa.

Sweden 1958 (Brazil): Castilho, Oreco, Zózimo, Mauro Ramos, Moacir, and Pepe.

Switzerland 1954 (Germany): Kubsch, Erhardt, Metzner, and Biesinger.

Brazil 1950 (Uruguay): Martínez, Vilches, Romero, Pini, Ortuño, Burgueño, Rijo, and Britos.

France 1938 (Italy): Ceresoli, Bertoni, Chizzo, Donati, Genta, Masetti, Olmi, and Perazzolo.

Italy 1934 (Italy): Cavanna, Arcari, Caligaris, Masetti, and Varglien.

Uruguay 1930 (Uruguay): Capuccini, Recoba, Riolfo, Piriz, Melogno, Calvo, and Saldambiide.