Ivan Perišić becomes fourth player with 20 World Cup starts as Croatia beat Ghana

Croatian forward Ivan Perišić, 37, featured in Croatia's 2‑1 victory over Ghana on 28 June at the 2026 World Cup, marking his 20th appearance as a starter in the tournament's final phase. The achievement places him alongside a select few such as Paolo Maldini (23 starts) and Diego Maradona (21 starts) as the fourth player to reach this milestone.

Perišić's record could extend to 21 starts if he starts in Croatia's upcoming knockout match against Portugal, potentially equalling the two‑player record held by Maradona and Uwe Zeller. His longevity highlights a career spanning four World Cups and underscores his status as a central figure in Croatian football history.