Because the whole world is under threat from climate change, 195 countries decided to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by adopting the "Paris Agreement". The mitigation and utilization of GHG have become the most significant challenges in the area of green energy research. One feasible solution is the reforming of methane with carbon dioxide (called dry reforming of methane, DRM) that converts the two main GHGs (CO2 and CH4) into synthesis gas (H-2 and CO), which is a resource for the manufacture of useful value-added products. The main issue that needs to be addressed for DRM is the deactivation of catalysts by sintering and carbon formation. Design of a viable catalyst that exhibits high catalytic activity and stability, as well as resistance against deactivation, could be accomplished by making appropriate choices of active metal, support, promoter, structure and methods for preparation and activation. Numerous studies and reviews have dealt with various aspects of DRM. This review focuses on the physicochemical properties of the pertinent catalysts and their role in the catalytic performance needed for DRM. Specifically, the interaction between components, dispersion, particle size, basicity, oxygen storage capacity, reducibility, porosity and surface area are discussed. This study provides the understanding of catalytic properties and their correlation with catalytic performance needed for the rational design of catalysts and suitable for DRM.