• Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • Home
  • Learn Baseball
    • Basic Baseball Overview
    • Baseball Terms
    • Baseball Trivia & Questions
  • Learn Basketball
    • Basic Basketball Overview
    • Basketball Terms
    • Basketball Trivia & Questions
  • Learn Football
    • Basic Football Overview
    • Football Terms
    • Football Trivia & Questions
  • Learn Ice Hockey
    • Basic Ice Hockey Overview
    • Ice Hockey Terms
  • Learn Soccer
    • Basic Soccer Overview
    • Soccer Terms
  • BLOG
    • Shopping Guides
    • The Locker
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • NCAAB
    • NCAAF
    • College Sports
    • Soccer
    • MMA & Boxing
    • THE SCRAPS
    • GIMME!
  • More Sports Lingo
    • Learn Bowling
      • Basic Bowling Overview
      • Bowling Terms
    • Learn Golf
      • Basic Golf Overview
      • Golf Terms
    • Learn Tennis
      • Tennis Overview
      • Tennis Terms
    • Winter Olympics
      • Curling
      • Figure Skating
      • Downhill & Cross Country Skiing
      • Snowboarding
      • Bobsled
    • Archery
    • Billiards
    • Boxing
    • Cricket
    • Cycling & Biking
    • Disc Golf
    • Dog Mushing
    • Fencing
    • Field Hockey
    • Gymnastics
    • Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
    • Motorsports & Car Racing
    • Pickleball
    • Rodeo
    • Rowing
    • Rugby
    • Shooting Sports
    • Skateboarding
    • Sports Betting
    • Swimming
    • Table Tennis
    • Track & Field
    • Volleyball
    • Wrestling

A Place To Learn Sports. On And Off The Field.

You are here: Home / All The Lingo / Sports Terms That Begin With ‘C’ / Cap

Cap

cap

What Is The Definition Of Cap In Soccer?

What Is A Cap In Soccer? Definition & Meaning

1. This term is used to describe an appearance in an international match. The number of caps for international players is recorded, so certain players hold records for the most caps, whether it’s for a specific team, a specific country, or overall among other players.

Though the term is derived from the caps awarded to players competing at the international level, physical caps are no longer given out for these appearances.

How Do You Earn A Cap In Soccer?

To earn a cap, a player must make an appearance in an international match. The FIFA World Cup and the Olympics are examples of qualifying international soccer matches to earn a cap. 

Who Has The Most Caps In Soccer?

Malaysian soccer player Soh Chin Ann holds the record for the most caps of all time, with 195 caps between 1969 and 1984.

Of active players, Bader Al-Mutawa of Kuwait has the most caps with 186. He received his first cap in 2003. 

What Does First Cap Mean?

A first cap means a player’s first international appearance for their country. Thus, they are “capped” for the first time. 

Do You Get A Cap If You Are On The Bench?

No. A player must make an appearance on the field during the game to earn a cap.

How Many Minutes Do You Have To Play To Get A Cap?

There are no time requirements to earn a cap. Whether the player starts or is substituted in near the end of the game, they will earn a cap. 

Examples Of How Cap Is Used In Commentary

1. Hoffman’s record for the most international caps was surpassed this week by Millhouse.

2. Friedman was incredibly honored to earn her 100th cap during the match against Nigeria.

Sports The Term Is Used

1. Soccer

Join Our Community

From The Locker

Florence Griffith Joyner’s Incredible Track & Field Legacy

Florence Griffith Joyner’s Incredible Track & Field Legacy

Today marks 25 years since the untimely death of Florence Griffith Joyner. In her 38 years, she achieved some of the greatest accomplishments in … [Read More...]

Beards & Baseball: The House Of David Baseball Team’s Fascinating History

Beards & Baseball: The House Of David Baseball Team’s Fascinating History

Back in the early days of professional baseball, a clean-cut look was required for players. So when the House of David baseball team rolled into town, … [Read More...]

Unscripted with SportsLingo

Shaped By Sports | Tamara Donelson Is Unscripted

Shaped By Sport

How Tamara Donelson fell in love with mountain biking in spite of herself — and why she stepped back from the sport she loved to rediscover fun on her … [Read More...]

Jim Cavale, Unscripted

The Athlete’s Entrepreneur

Jim Cavale left baseball to pursue entrepreneurship — and he’s helped thousands of student-athletes in the process Jim Cavale is competitive by … [Read More...]

Browse Our Sports Dictionary For The Latest Sports Terms & Jargon

  • #
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | About Us | Contact Us
Copyright © 2025 · SportsLingo.com, a BrainBoost Media LLC. property.

Disclaimer: SportsLingo is an Amazon Associate and earns revenue from qualifying purchases.

In addition, SportsLingo may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from other affiliate networks.