The first player from Montenegro to play in a World Cup was Milovan Jakšić who was the Yugoslav goalkeeper at 1930 World Cup. Ever since, Montenegrins were usually well represented in the Yugoslav and Serbia and Montenegro teams, some as Dragoljub Brnović, Dejan Savićević and Predrag Mijatović, became among the most prominent Yugoslav players of all time.
Montenegro's participation in World Cups has been marked by a consistent presence of talented players, including Milovan Jakšić, Dragoljub Brnović, Dejan Savićević, and Predrag Mijatović, who have contributed significantly to both the Yugoslav and Serbia and Montenegro national teams.