Which footballers won the highest percentage of caps at World Cups?

“I was reading Gabriel Paletta’s Wikipedia page and noticed that he made his competitive international debut against England in World Cup 2014,” notes James Cranford. “He only made three appearances for Italy, meaning 33% of his senior international caps were World Cup games. Seven of Toto Schillaci’s 16 caps came in World Cup games (44%): does anyone have a higher percentage?”

Leaving one-cap wonders to one side, Rob Stevenson has more from 1990. “I went poking around other squads in that World Cup for a candidate, and eventually dug this up. Robert Fleck played four times for Scotland, and two of those appearances were in the 1990 World Cup,” he writes. Another 50% record is suggested by Chai from Atlanta: “Spain’s Albert Celades played four international matches, of which two were substitute appearances at the 1998 World Cup.”

For absolute top-tier international completism, however, Daibhi O’Leary takes us back to the very first tournament, in 1930. He explains: “The obvious example is Guillermo Stábile,” whose four internationals all came in those finals, giving him a 100% record. “He made his debut in Argentina’s second game (he only got in the side because the top scorer in their domestic league pulled out, apparently due to nerves) and won his fourth cap in the final; his performances won him both the inaugural Golden Boot (eight goals, scoring in every game) and a transfer to Genoa. That move and, later, injuries ended his international career. He then became arguably greater as a manager.”

Ben Wallace and Paul Peters both came up with another 100%er in Laurie Hughes, from England’s ill-fated 1950 campaign. “All of Hughes’s England caps came in the 1950 World Cup,” writes Ben. “He made his debut in the 2-0 win against Chile, played in the infamous loss against the USA and his final appearance came in a 2-0 defeat to Spain.” Any more to report?

(Still) under construction

“What is the longest time it has taken a club to complete a new stand?” wonders Rob Fielding.

“I imagine Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium will beat Port Vale’s 22-year wait for a finished stand. Currently at 19 years with a missing end,” writes James Pollard, while David Calboutin recalls some lengthy inactivity in the north-east. “Newcastle demolished The Leazes End in 1978 as part of a big plan to redevelop the ground. Unfortunately we were relegated and rebuilding was shelved until 1993, leaving a temporary terrace for 15 years, when the new stand was eventually built.”