which football player has the most World Cup participations

Matthäus held the record of having played in five FIFA World Cups(1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998), more than any other outfield player in men’s football, until the 2018 World Cup, in which Mexico’s Rafael Márquez equalled his record in a 1–0 victory over Germany, and holds the record for the most World Cup matches.

Matthäus is the most capped German player of all time, retiring with a total of 150 appearances (83 for West Germany) in 20 years, and 23 goals. Matthäus is a member of the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living football players chosen by Pelé.Diego Maradona said of Matthäus, “he is the best rival I’ve ever had. I guess that’s enough to define him”, in his book Yo soy el Diego (I am the Diego).

A versatile and complete player, Matthäus is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, and was renowned for his perceptive passing, positional sense, well-timed tackling, as well as powerful shooting. During his career, he usually played as a box-to-box midfielder, although late in his career he played as a sweeper.

Credit:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lothar_Matth%C3%A4us