What Is a Cap in Soccer?

A cap is an award given to a soccer player who represents his country in international matches. Each time a player participates in an international match, he is "capped."

Many soccer players have been capped, and several have reached 100 or more caps for representing their countries internationally. The top cap earner is Ahmed Hassan of Egypt with 184 caps. In second place is Mohamed Al-Deayea of Saudi Arabia with 178 caps, and in third place is Claudio Suarez of Mexico with 178 caps. These three players, in addition to 234 others, have represented their countries during the course of their careers.