Corinthians has a player on the field again in the World Cup after almost eight years
- By Mirella Ramos / Central do Timão Editorial
Corinthians once again had a player on the field in a World Cup after almost eight years. This Sunday (14), striker Memphis Depay entered the second half of the Netherlands' 2-2 draw against Japan, in the first round of the 2026 World Cup group stage.
Timão's number 10 started the match on the bench, but was called on by coach Ronald Koeman in the 24th minute of the second half, replacing Malen. With this, Memphis became part of the list of Corinthians players who played in a World Cup match while playing for the club.
Photo: Reproduction / Instagram
According to a survey by Estatíticas Corinthianas, the last record had taken place in the 2018 edition, in Russia, when goalkeeper Cássio and right-back Fagner represented Corinthians for the Brazilian team. On that occasion, both players were starters in Brazil's campaign, which ended in the quarter-finals after a 2-1 defeat to Belgium.
In the match against the Belgians, played on July 6, 2018, Fagner played for the 90 minutes and was the only player from a Brazilian club on the field at that stage of the World Cup. Cássio remained an option on the bench during the tournament.
Before the duo, other athletes linked to Corinthians also participated in World Cups. The list brings together historic names from the club and Brazilian football, such as Garrincha, Rivellino, Sócrates and Dida, as well as foreign players such as Carlos Tévez, Javier Mascherano, Gamarra, Rincón and now Memphis Depay.
In total, players linked to Corinthians were called up for 16 editions of the World Cup. Among them, 26 athletes received calls to defend their national teams while playing for the club.
Not everyone got to take the field. Five players were called up, but did not participate in any matches: Cabeção (1954), Oreco (1958), Ado (1970), Dida (2002) and Cássio (2018).
Memphis on the field
In the Netherlands' debut at the 2026 World Cup, Memphis came on when the European team was beating Japan 2-1. During the minutes he was on the field, the striker participated in the offensive actions and helped the Dutch team in an attempt to maintain the advantage.
Japan, however, managed to find a draw in the final minutes and the match ended 2 x 2. With the result, the Netherlands and Japan added a point in the first round of Group F.
With participation in the World Cup, Memphis also represents Corinthians off the field. Under the Club Benefits Program of the International Football Federation (FIFA), teams that provide players for the World Cup receive daily financial compensation during the call-up period.
In addition, the forward's future continues to be monitored by the club. Memphis' contract with Corinthians is valid until the end of July 2026, and the black and white board has already presented a proposal to try to expand the contract.
Check out the Corinthians players called up to compete in the World Cup:
- 1938: Brandão and Lopes
- 1950: Baltazar
- 1954: Baltazar and Cabeção
- 1958: Gilmar and Oreco
- 1966: Garrincha
- 1970: Rivellino and Ado
- 1974: Rivellino and Zé Maria
- 1978: Amaral
- 1982: Sócrates
- 1986: Carlos, Édson and Casagrande
- 1994: Viola
- 1998: Gamarra and Rincón
- 2002: Dida, Vampeta and Ricardinho
- 2006: Ricardinho, Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tévez
- 2018: Cássio and Fagner
- 2026: Memphis Depay
With the draw against Japan, the Netherlands adds one point in the Group table and returns to the field on June 20th, against Sweden, at 2pm (Brasília time), at the NRG Stadium, in Houston. The Dutch team's last match in the group stage will be against Tunisia, on June 25th, at 8pm (Brasília time), at Arrowhead Stadium, in Kansas City.
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Source: Timao Central