Imagine scoring at the World Cup for two different countries. It is a feat so rare that only one player in history has ever achieved it – and it is highly unlikely anyone ever will again. Robert Prosinecki, a chain-smoking midfielder once described as a 'genius' who 'couldn't run', etched his name into football folklore by representing both Yugoslavia and Croatia on football's biggest stage.
At the 1990 World Cup, Prosinecki played for Yugoslavia and scored in a 4-1 group-stage win against the United Arab Emirates. Eight years later, at the 1998 World Cup, he turned out for an independent Croatia – his homeland – and netted in a 3-1 victory over Jamaica, helping his side finish third that year. That double makes him the only player to have scored for two separate nations at a World Cup.
“Why Robert Prosinecki's unique feat of scoring for two nations at the World Cup remains unmatched.”
The feat is rarer than you might think. While several players have represented different countries at the World Cup – Luis Monti played for Argentina in 1930 and Italy in 1934, and José Altafini (Mazzola) did the same for Brazil and Italy in 1958 and 1962 – none managed to score for both. Political changes such as the breakup of Yugoslavia created opportunities for players to switch allegiances, but Prosinecki remains the only one to find the net for both his old and new nations.
For UK readers, this piece of trivia adds a layer of intrigue to the ongoing 2026 World Cup in North America. As England prepare for their round-of-32 tie – with five potential opponents depending on their Group L finish – the tournament is also throwing up daily challenges such as BBC Sport's 'Who am I?' game. That quiz asks readers to guess a mystery World Cup player using as few clues as possible, with a new footballer each day. It is a fun way to test your knowledge of past and present stars, from iconic legends to cult heroes like Prosinecki.
Here are three key questions that often come up around this topic:
Q: Who is the only player to score for two different countries at the World Cup? A: Robert Prosinecki. He scored for Yugoslavia in 1990 and for Croatia in 1998. No other player has scored for two different nations at the tournament.
Q: How does the BBC's 'Who am I?' World Cup quiz work? A: Each day, a footballer is chosen. You try to guess their identity in as few attempts as possible – after each wrong guess, a new clue is unlocked. Scoring three points is good; four or five is exceptional.
Q: Who could England face in the World Cup round of 32? A: England's opponents depend on their finishing position in Group L. There are five possible contenders, though the exact list will be confirmed after the group stage concludes later this week.
As for what happens next, the World Cup group stage is nearing its end, with knockout matches looming. England's round-of-32 fixture will be decided soon, and fans can keep an eye on the 'Who am I?' quiz for a daily dose of football nostalgia. Meanwhile, Prosinecki's unique record stands as a testament to how geopolitics and football history can intertwine – and how even a chain-smoking, injury-prone player can become an immortal of the game.