Fathers and Sons: A Unique Legacy in the FIFA World Cup
A Legacy of Football: Fathers and Sons in the World Cup
New Delhi [India] - As the FIFA World Cup approaches, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, a remarkable statistic emerges: 27 fathers and sons have participated in this prestigious tournament. This number is set to rise with the upcoming edition starting June 11.
Among the players eager to honor their fathers and represent their nations are Erling Haaland, Luca Zidane, and Kristian Thorstvedt. Here’s a look at some notable players participating in the 2026 World Cup whose fathers have also donned their national jerseys:
- Sebastian Berhalter: The midfielder, son of Gregg Berhalter, who played for the USA in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, made his national team debut last year, scoring in a 5-1 victory against Uruguay. His impressive performance with the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer (MLS) secured his spot in the squad.
- Francisco Conceicao: The Portuguese winger has already made headlines by scoring in key matches, including a victory over Czechia in the EURO 2024 opener. He is the son of Sergio Conceicao, who represented Portugal in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
- Lee Taeseok: This left-back netted the only goal in South Korea's win against Ghana last November. He is the son of Lee Eulyong, who scored during the 2002 World Cup third-place match against Turkey.
- Angus Gunn: Formerly an England youth international, Angus is now Scotland's first-choice goalkeeper. Despite limited playtime due to a knee injury, he is the son of Bryan Gunn, who was part of Scotland's 1990 World Cup squad.
- Erling Haaland: Known for his goal-scoring prowess with Manchester City, Erling is the son of Alfie Haaland, who played in the 1994 World Cup for Norway.
- Justin Kluivert: The son of Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert, Justin had a standout season with Bournemouth, earning him a place in the Netherlands squad despite past injuries.
- Giuliano Simeone: Playing under his father Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid, Giuliano is a key player for both his club and the Argentine national team, having scored in a recent match against Brazil.
- Kristian Thorstvedt: The Norwegian midfielder helped his team qualify by defeating Italy 4-1. He is the son of Erik Thorstvedt, who played in the 1994 World Cup.
- Luca Zidane: The son of the legendary Zinedine Zidane, Luca has switched allegiances to play for Algeria after previously representing France at the U-20 level.