Was Sir Vivian Richards really the only player to have played both the Cricket and FIFA World Cups? Find out the full truth behind it.

Whenever aggressive batting is talked about, the name of Sir Vivian Richards comes first. Emerging from the small island of Antigua, he gave West Indies cricket a new identity in the 1970s and 1980s. Richards, famously known as the ‘Master Blaster,’ was never doubted for his greatness, but over time, an interesting story emerged that he not only played cricket but also played the FIFA World Cup.

Two world cups, one man, The Golden Age of the West Indies

Sir Vivian Richards was the epitome of West Indies cricket during its golden era. He represented the team that nearly made the Cricket World Cup their stronghold in its early years.

In the 1975 World Cup, during the final of the first edition held in England, the West Indies created history by defeating Australia.
In the 1979 World Cup, Richards played a historic unbeaten 138-run innings against England at Lord’s, leading his team to their second successive title.

He later was part of the runner-up team in the 1983 World Cup and also captained the West Indies in the 1987 World Cup. These performances established him among the greatest batsmen in One Day International cricket.

From football to cricket

For many years, it has been claimed that Vivian Richards represented his country internationally not only in cricket but also in football. It is said that he participated in the qualifying matches of the 1974 FIFA World Cup for the Antigua and Barbuda team. Over time, this claim has been repeatedly mentioned in articles, online posts, and general sports knowledge, making it seem almost like an unquestionable truth.

What does the record say?

According to official records, Vivian Richards did not play in any match of the 1973 CONCACAF Championship (which was a qualifier for the 1974 World Cup). Antigua and Barbuda played four qualifying matches during that round, and Richards’ name was not included in the team list.

Line-ups available in reliable football databases like RSSSF and 11v11 list the names of other players, but Vivian Richards is nowhere to be found. This confusion may have arisen because Richards played football in his youth and remained involved at a local level, but he never played in an international football match.

Legacy Beyond the Myth

Even if the claim related to football is wrong, it does not diminish Vivian Richards’ greatness.

He scored 8,540 runs in Test cricket, with an average of 50.23.
He was honored with a knighthood in 1999.
He is a member of the ICC Hall of Fame.
Rising from the small island of Antigua to dominate world cricket is, in itself, an extraordinary achievement.

It is clear that Sir Vivian Richards did win two Cricket World Cups, but the claim that he played in the FIFA World Cup or its qualifiers is factually incorrect. This is a myth that has been repeated over time without verification.
Still, his legacy in cricket is so immense that no additional story is needed. Vivian Richards was a true great player who made history in a single sport—and that is his real identity.

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