In a powerful demonstration of the unifying spirit of the beautiful game, FIFA has officially set a new Guinness World Record for the most nationalities represented in a single football (soccer) exhibition match.
The record was achieved on November 5, 2025, at the state-of-the-art Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco. The match saw a total of 83 players from 68 unique nationalities take to the pitch for at least ten minutes each, shattering the previous record of 53.
The event, organized by FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup, was conceived to highlight football’s unparalleled ability to bring people together, regardless of borders, language, or culture.
The field became a microcosm of the world, featuring players who represented countries from every corner of the globe, including:
Africa: Zimbabwe, Botswana, Senegal, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
Europe: The Netherlands, Italy, France, Spain, the UK, and Portugal.
The Americas: The US, Canada, Panama, Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil.
Asia & Oceania: India, New Zealand, Turkiye, and Lebanon.
“Witnessing 68 nationalities on the pitch for a new Guinness World Records title by FIFA is incredibly inspiring,” said Elkhan Mammadov (Azerbaijan), one of the players and FIFA Chief Member Associations Division Officer. “This moment beautifully embodies FIFA’s leadership vision: to unite the world through football.”
The exhibition match was fiercely contested over two hours and 48 minutes, with the final score landing at 17-14 for the white team over the blue. Guinness World Records Adjudicator Joanne Brent was on-site to verify that all 83 participants met the strict criteria, including playing a minimum of 10 minutes.
At the conclusion of the match, Brent formally announced the successful record attempt, leading to cheers and applause from the ecstatic and globally diverse group of players.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino celebrated the achievement, stating that the record “is a reminder that football truly belongs to everyone, everywhere.” The event not only secured a new world title but served as a vibrant prelude to the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026.
