Matt Freese playing for the US national team, left, and at Harvard graduation, right. Reproduction The United States team debuted on Friday night (12) at the 2026 World Cup and had a literally graduated defense. This is because goalkeeper Matt Freese, one of the starters in the match, is the first player graduated from Harvard University to participate in the competition. He entered university in 2016 to study economics, following in the footsteps of his father, neurosurgeon Andrew Freese, and his two brothers, all Harvard graduates. In 2018, he had to interrupt his studies to sign with the American Football League, but in 2022, during the pandemic and with the university's online classes, he completed the course and managed to graduate. But the American goalkeeper is not the only one who played in a World Cup and also graduated from higher education. In the past, names like Sócrates and Tostão accumulated numbers in football and good grades in college. SEE ALSO: What Brazilians need to know before going to the World Cup Below, remember stars with degrees from major universities around the world: Yuto Nagatomo Yuto Nagatomo in a 2018 World Cup game. Wikimedia Commons Defender Yuto Nagatomo is another player who will participate in the 2026 World Cup and who has a university education. "The veteran is about to make history as the first Japanese player to participate in five editions of the FIFA World Cup", recalls FIFA He began his career as a student-athlete at the prestigious Meiji University in Tokyo, where he majored in economics. Socrates Sócrates in action at the World Cup for the Brazilian team. Presse Sports/Agif/Folhapress One of the biggest names in Brazilian football in the 1980s, midfielder Sócrates graduated in medicine from the University of São Paulo while rising in the sport. He participated in the world championships in 1982, in Spain, and 1986, in Mexico, and earned the nickname "Doctor Sócrates", precisely because of his academic title. A good organizer, he became one of the leaders of the Corinthian Democracy movement, with strong political activity. penny penny Reproduction Another historic name in Brazilian football, striker Tostão also graduated in medicine after his early retirement, aged just 26. He was prominent in the 1970 World Cup, starting every match and scoring two goals. His departure from football was motivated by a kick to the eye, which, even with some recovery attempts, could have left him blind. The injury was also what motivated his specialization in medicine: ophthalmology. Steve Coppell Steve Coppell in 2006. Ashley Ledran/Wikimedia Commons English winger Steve Coppell was another who combined sport with academic training. According to FIFA, he began his career in football "by combining his playing career at Tranmere Rovers, an English second division club, with a degree in economics at the University of Liverpool." In 1975, he agreed to transfer to Manchester United, but only on the condition that he could complete his studies. Despite having suffered a serious injury in preparation for the 1982 World Cup in Spain, he managed to be called up and participate in all the matches. Jens Lehmann Jens Lehmann at a charity game in 2019. Sven Mandel/Wikimedia Commons During his youth career, German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann studied economics at the University of Münster. He was Oliver Kahn's reserve in 1998 and 2002. In 2006, he stood out at the World Cup in Germany, consulting a cola before penalties against Argentina, in the quarter-finals.