At 91 years old, Enrique “Macaya” Márquez is preparing to write another chapter in the history of world sports journalism. The Argentine commentator and analyst confirmed his presence in the 2026 World Cup, which will mean his eighteenth consecutive World Cup. an unprecedented brand at a global level that consolidates him as the journalist with the largest amount of World Cup coverage in history.
His presence was anticipated in an advertising campaign where Macaya himself appears traveling to the World Cup, reinforcing an idea that crosses generations: If there is a World Cup, Macaya has to be there.
His connection with the World Cup began in Sweden 1958 and since then he has not missed any edition. For more than six decades he was a privileged witness of the most important moments in the history of football, including the three consecrations of the Argentine National Team in the 1978, 1986 and 2022 World Cups. In Qatar 2022 he had already reached his seventeenth consecutive World Cup, a mark that FIFA and the International Sports Press Association officially recognized as a world record in sports journalism.
Macaya’s validity at 91 years old is explained by a career that far exceeds the World Cups. He went through all the stages of sports journalism, from radio broadcasts with little technology to current multiplatform coverage, always with the same seal as a tactical analyst and commentator.
If there is a World Cup, there is Macaya
After confirming his presence in the 2026 World Cup that will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada starting June 11, Macaya will extend his own record to 18 consecutive World Cups, a figure that any journalist who wanted to match would have to cover his first World Cup this year and maintain that streak until 2058, when the same period of time would be fulfilled.
His ability to adapt to the different formats of sports journalism over almost seven decades is perhaps the most striking element of his career. Macaya began covering World Cups at a time when technology was minimal and broadcasts arrived hours late, and today he is preparing to cover the largest tournament in the history of soccer with 48 teams in three countries.
A story of passion, perseverance and love for football that has a new chapter to write in the summer of 2026, where the Argentine journalist will seek to expand a record that seems difficult to match and that consolidates him as one of the most emblematic figures in international sports journalism.