By our reporter 30.5.2026
World famous Super Eagles midfielder Austin Jay Jay Okocha has been confirmed by the world soccer governing body FIFA as the player with the most successful dribbles in a single World Cup match.
Okocha completed 15 successful dribbles during Nigeria’s Round of 16 encounter against the Italy National Football Team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, a feat that remains unmatched for more than three decades.
Italy at the tournament paraded the world’s best defenders in Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Demetrio Albertini.
According to FIFA former Brazilian forward, Jairzinho and former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne are joint second on the list with 13 successful dribbles in a single World Cup match.
Other legendary players recognised among the competition’s greatest dribblers include Eusebio, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona and Jamal Musiala.
FIFA also highlighted that Lionel Messi holds the record for the most successful dribbles across all World Cup appearances with 125, while Maradona remains the player with the highest number of successful dribbles in a single tournament, recording 53 during the 1986 World Cup.
Okocha participated in three World Cups, USA 1994, France 1998 and Korea/Japan 2002.
Photo: Young Jay Jay Okocha with late Argentina legend Diego Maradona at the USA '94 World Cup.