Record-Breaking Number of Players Over 40 Competing in 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is set to make history by featuring eight players aged over 40, according to FIFA's official records. This milestone exceeds the combined number of players in this age category who participated across all 22 previous World Cup tournaments held between 1930 and 2022, when only seven such players competed.

The first player over 40 to appear in a World Cup was Italy's Dino Zoff during the 1982 edition. Most recently, Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa represented the age group at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

The record for the oldest World Cup participant remains held by Egypt's Essam El-Hadary, who played in Russia in 2018 at 45 years and five months old.

Among the eight players expected to compete in the upcoming tournament, Scotland's Craig Gordon stands out as the oldest. Born on December 31, 1982, the goalkeeper will become the second-oldest player ever to appear in a World Cup.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, born on February 5, 1985, will hold the distinction of being the tournament's oldest field player. His participation marks two decades since his World Cup debut, as he continues his quest for the one major title that has eluded him throughout his career.

Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa is preparing for another World Cup appearance after Luis Malagón's injury created an opening for his return to the national team. Croatia's Luka Modric is also returning to the world stage following his team's runner-up finish in 2018 and third-place result in 2022.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Edin Dzeko, the nation's all-time leading international goalscorer, will participate after helping his country secure a World Cup berth for only the second time since 2014.

Uruguay's Fernando Muslera will turn 40 on June 16, just one day after his country's opening match against Saudi Arabia. Germany's Manuel Neuer, at 40 years and two months, is competing after reversing his international retirement and remains the final active member of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup.

Cape Verde's Fosinha, a goalkeeper who turned 40 before the tournament, will participate in what marks his nation's historic inaugural World Cup appearance.