Who Are the Oldest Players to Ever Play in the World Cup?

Veterans of the World Cup: The Oldest Players

Only eight players aged 40 or older have ever taken part in men’s World Cup matches during the tournament’s 96-year history. This summer’s event might see more join that select group.

Essam El Hadary, Egypt’s goalkeeper, holds the record for being the oldest player to appear in a World Cup game at 45 years and 161 days. He set this mark in 2018 when Egypt lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in the group stage, surpassing previous records by over two years.

El Hadary’s record seems safe this year, as Craig Gordon, Scotland’s goalkeeper, at 43, is currently the oldest player named in any full squad. If he plays this summer, marking Scotland’s return to the World Cup after 28 years, Gordon will become the second oldest player in World Cup history.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain, could also enter this elite group if he appears at 41 or older in what would be his sixth World Cup.

Besides El Hadary, only a handful have played beyond 40 in the tournament: former Colombian keeper Faryd Mondragon, legendary Cameroon striker Roger Milla, and Northern Ireland’s Pat Jennings.

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Manuel Neuer, Germany’s goalkeeper, started in their 7-1 win over Curacao, becoming the seventh oldest player to appear at a World Cup at 40 years and 79 days.

Other 40-somethings likely to feature include Bosnia and Herzegovina’s striker Edin Dzeko and Croatia’s midfielder Luke Modric. Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha will turn 40 just before their first-ever World Cup match against Spain on June 15.

Goalkeepers with considerable experience like Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa and Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera have also made their national squads.