In the 96-year history of the men’s FIFA World Cup, only seven players have ever graced the pitch at the age of 40 or older. However, that exclusive list is set to expand, as at least five veterans are poised to make history if they feature in the upcoming tournament.
The current benchmark for longevity belongs to Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who remains the oldest player ever to appear in a World Cup match. He set the record at 45 years and 161 days old during Egypt’s 2-1 group stage loss to Saudi Arabia in 2018, shattering the previous record by more than two years. Remarkably, every player in the top ten oldest participants in tournament history has been at least 39 and a half years old.
Leading the charge for the next generation of veterans is 43-year-old Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon. Should he take the field—marking Scotland’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years—the Hearts stopper would instantly become the second-oldest player in tournament history.
Meanwhile, Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, is eyeing a potential sixth World Cup appearance. If he plays, he would join a legendary inner circle of players who have competed at age 41 or older. Currently, only Essam El Hadary, Faryd Mondragon, Roger Milla, and Pat Jennings have achieved this milestone.
The 2026 tournament could see further movement on the record books. Japanese defender Yuto Nagatomo, now 39, is in line to enter the all-time list if he receives playing time. Additionally, Bosnian forward Edin Dzeko, German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and Croatian midfielder Luka Modric are all 40 years old and widely expected to participate. Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is also set to hit the 40-year mark before his nation’s opening match, placing him in contention to join these historic ranks.
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10 Oldest Players in World Cup History
- Essam El Hadary – Egypt vs Saudi Arabia (June 25, 2018) – 45 years, 161 days
- Faryd Mondragon – Colombia vs Japan (June 24, 2014) – 43 years, 3 days
- Roger Milla – Cameroon vs Russia (June 28, 1994) – 42 years, 39 days
- Pat Jennings – Northern Ireland vs Brazil (June 12, 1986) – 41 years, 0 days
- Peter Shilton – England vs Italy (July 7, 1990) – 40 years, 292 days
- Dino Zoff – Italy vs West Germany (July 11, 1982) – 40 years, 133 days
- Ali Boumnijel – Tunisia vs Ukraine (June 23, 2006) – 40 years, 71 days
- Jim Leighton – Scotland vs Morocco (June 23, 1998) – 39 years, 334 days
- David James – England vs Germany (June 27, 2010) – 39 years, 330 days
- Atiba Hutchinson – Canada vs Morocco (December 1, 2022) – 39 years, 296 days
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Summary
Throughout the 96-year history of the FIFA World Cup, only seven players have competed at the age of 40 or older. Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary currently holds the all-time record, having played at 45 years and 161 days old during the 2018 tournament. All ten of the oldest players in tournament history were at least 39 and a half years old at the time of their participation.
The upcoming 2026 World Cup is poised to expand this exclusive list, with several veterans expected to reach historic milestones. Notable players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Craig Gordon, Luka Modric, and Manuel Neuer are among those who could potentially enter the top rankings if they appear in the tournament. This continued display of longevity underscores the evolving physical standards for players on the global stage.