What Is a Cap In Football?

Receiving a physical cap is a practice that originated in the UK, where caps were awarded to every international player in rugby and soccer matches. Today, the cap is a term used to recognize a player’s participation in matches on an international level.

While the term ‘cap’ still holds its historical significance, the physical cap itself is a rarity in modern football. For instance, in England, a cap is awarded for every international match a player participates in, except for major tournaments. In the World Cup and Euro tournaments, a player is awarded a single physical cap for the entire event.

Who Has The Most Caps in Football?

The more caps a player has, the more international tournaments they have participated in. Christiano Ronaldo has collected the most caps, 206, over his 21-year career.

Read Next: What Is a Hat Trick In Football