The FIFA World Cup is remembered not only for teams and individual records but also for traditions that continue across generations.

Axar.az informs that throughout World Cup history, several footballers have represented their countries in the prestigious tournament, and later their children have also followed in their footsteps, leaving their mark on football history.

Father-and-son duos who played in different eras are among the most interesting family stories in World Cup history.

One of the well-known figures of Italian football, Cesare Maldini, took part in the 1962 World Cup. His son Paolo Maldini later represented Italy at the World Cup in 1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002.

Former Uruguay national team footballer Pablo Forlan played in the 1966 and 1974 World Cups. His son Diego Forlan, meanwhile, represented the country in the 2002, 2010, and 2014 tournaments.

Belgian Jan Verheyen took part in the 1970 World Cup. His son Gert Verheyen later represented Belgium at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

One of Uruguay’s well-known football figures, Julio Montero Castillo, played in the 1970 and 1974 World Cups. His son Paolo Montero also took part in the World Cup in 2002.

Former Sweden national team player Roy Andersson took part in the 1978 World Cup. His son Patrik Andersson represented Sweden at the 1994 and 2002 World Cups, while his other son, Daniel Andersson, played for Sweden in the 2002 and 2006 tournaments.

Anders Linderot, who played for Sweden at the 1978 World Cup, had a son, Tobias Linderot, who followed in his footsteps and took part in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

Former Spain national team player Miguel Angel Alonso played in the 1982 World Cup. His son Xabi Alonso later took part in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups, and celebrated winning the title in 2010.

Former Czechoslovakia national team player Jan Kozak played in the 1982 World Cup. His son, also named Jan Kozak, later represented Slovakia at the 2010 World Cup.

Former Poland national team player Wlodzimierz Smolarek played in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. His son, Euzebiusz Smolarek, later gained World Cup experience with the Poland national team in 2006.

Cha Bum-kun, one of the legendary figures of South Korean football, took part in the 1986 World Cup. His son, Cha Du-ri, later represented the country at the World Cups in 2002 and 2010.

Vladimir Weiss played for Czechoslovakia at the 1990 World Cup. His son, also Vladimir Weiss, later represented Slovakia at the 2010 World Cup.

Former Costa Rica national team player Alexandre Guimaraes took part in the 1990 World Cup. His son, Celso Borges, followed in his footsteps by playing in the World Cups in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

Former Netherlands defender Danny Blind played in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. His son, Daley Blind, later represented the Netherlands at the World Cups in 2014 and 2022.

Danish football legend goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel played at the 1998 World Cup. His son, Kasper Schmeichel, later became one of the main goalkeepers of the Denmark national team at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Former Brazil national team player Mazinho took part in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. His son, Thiago Alcantara, later played for Spain at the 2018 World Cup.

French football legend defender Lilian Thuram played in the 1998, 2002, and 2006 World Cups. His son, Marcus Thuram, later represented France at the 2022 World Cup.

Former United States national team captain Claudio Reyna played in the World Cups in 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006. His son, Giovanni Reyna, later represented the United States at the 2022 World Cup.