What is a cap in soccer?
In soccer, a cap typically refers to an appearance in a competitive match for a national team. Each time a player represents their country in an officially recognized game, they earn a .
- Earning a Cap: A player earns a cap by playing any amount of time in a recognized international match. This can be for just a few seconds or for the entire game.
- Recognized Matches: Generally, "recognized" means a match that is officially sanctioned by FIFA or the relevant continental confederation (e.g., UEFA, CONMEBOL, CAF, AFC, OFC, CONCACAF). These include World Cup qualifiers, World Cup finals, continental championship qualifiers and finals (e.g., European Championship, Copa America), and friendly matches played on FIFA international match dates.
- Significance: The number of caps a player has is a measure of their international experience and service to their country. High cap numbers are seen as a mark of prestige and longevity in a player's career. Players with a significant number of are often considered legends in their respective countries.
- All-Time Leaders: Each nation has its own list of all-time leading cap winners. The world record for most international caps is usually held by players who have had long and successful careers with their national teams.
- Cap Presentation: It is common for a player earning their first cap, or reaching a milestone number of caps, to be presented with a commemorative by their national team. This cap is often embroidered with the match details.