Four Father-Son Duos Set to Make History at the 2026 World Cup

Timothy Weah was born in New York in 2000, seven years after his father, George, was named FIFA World Player of the Year. George Weah is arguably the greatest African footballer of all time — the only African to win the Ballon d'Or, a legend at AC Milan, Monaco, PSG, and Chelsea. But one achievement always eluded him: the World Cup. Liberia never qualified. George never played a single minute on football's biggest stage.

His son will. Timothy represents the United States, the country of his birth, and has been a key part of the USMNT setup since making his debut in 2018. He scored in the 2022 World Cup against Wales — a moment that connected two generations, even though his father was watching from the stands rather than playing beside him."I play for both of us," Timothy said after that goal. For George, watching his son score in a World Cup was the fulfilment of a dream he could never achieve himself.

Lilian Thuram is one of the greatest defenders in football history. He played 142 times for France, won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, and scored both goals in the semi-final against Croatia — a match that remains one of the defining moments of French football. He played in three World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006) and reached the final of two of them. His son Marcus carries a different profile — a 6'4" forward who plays for Inter Milan and France, built for power and pace rather than defensive sturdiness.

Marcus made his World Cup debut in 2022, starting in the final against Argentina, replacing the injured Karim Benzema. France lost on penalties, but Marcus had arrived. By 2026, he is expected to be France's starting centre-forward."My father never told me what to do on the pitch," Marcus said. "He let me find my own path. But his example taught me what it means to represent your country."

The Maldini name is the most famous in Italian football history. Cesare Maldini played for Italy and later coached them. His son Paolo played 126 times, won the 2006 World Cup, and spent his entire 25-year career at AC Milan, becoming arguably the greatest defender of all time. And now Paolo's son Daniel — the third generation — is set to play in his first World Cup at age 24.

Daniel is not a defender like his father and grandfather. He is an attacking midfielder, a trequartista who operates in the spaces between midfield and attack. He made his Milan debut in 2020 and spent loan spells at Spezia and Empoli before establishing himself as a regular at Monza in 2025. His first Italy call-up came in 2024, and he has become a fixture in Luciano Spalletti's squad."The Maldini name is a weight, but it is also a privilege," Daniel said."I do not try to be like my father. I try to be the best version of myself." For Italy, at a World Cup where they return after missing 2018 and 2022, the Maldini legacy is a symbol of continuity and hope.

Danny Blind was a rock in the Ajax and Netherlands defence of the early 1990s. He played in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, won the European Cup (now Champions League) with Ajax in 1995, and later managed the Dutch national team. His son Daley started his career at Ajax, won four Eredivisie titles, and became one of the most versatile defenders of his generation — playing left-back, centre-back, and defensive midfield.

Daley has played in two World Cups already (2014 and 2022) and at 36 will make it three in 2026 — matching his father's two and surpassing him in longevity. In 2014, Daley scored a crucial goal against Australia and played every minute of the Netherlands' run to the semi-finals. In 2022, he was one of the team's senior leaders. At 36, he is expected to be part of the squad as a veteran presence and tactical leader. The Blinds represent a unique father-son connection: Danny was Daley's coach at Ajax for a period."Having my father as a coach was not always easy," Daley said. "But he taught me everything I know about the game."