Sports have always celebrated young players, not only because they are agile but also because they have the potential to grow and become something big. However, FIFA World Cup 2026 is a different story; we have seen how Vozinha denied Spain their opening victory and helped his team survive against a much stronger Spanish side.
Age is just a number when you have determination, resilience, and perseverance to show up at the biggest stages. While the youngest player of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is not even, the oldest player is over 2.5 decades older than him. Check out these 10 oldest players at the FIFA World Cup 2026,
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Craig Gordon - Scotland
Craig Gordon is the oldest Scottish player ever to be a part of the FIFA World Cup. He is 43 years and 167 days old, defying all the odds and conventional beliefs set at the highest level. Though he did not play the first game, he is still part of the Scottish squad, making him a relevant figure in International Football.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo might be one of the rarest category of forwards who is still active at the age of 41 years and 132 days. With his recent triumph at Saudi Pro League, the legend would be eyeing a World Cup to solidify his status as one of the greats. He’s spent decades rewriting record books, and his presence in the 2026 World Cup squad is enough for Portugal to make a statement.
Guillermo Ochoa - Mexico
If you have been following football for years, Guillermo Ochoa is the name you must not forget. He’s now 40 years and 339 days, but still as fresh as he ever was. Ochoa’s astonishing goalkeeping came in limelight when Mexico drew with Brazil in the 2014 World Cup. This would be his fifth World Cup appearance, which in itself is a unique feat.
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Luka Modrić - Croatia
The man who defined Croatian football in the past few years is getting old. Luka Modrić is 40 years and 281 days old, and one of the most gifted midfielders of this generation. He’s won everything club football can offer, including the Ballon d’Or, and is still nailing opponents with his visionary passing. At an age where most people leave football, he’s the X factor in Croatia’s team.
Edin Dzeko - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Aged 40 years and 92 days, Edin Džeko is the oldest Bosnian player to ever play at the highest level. The towering centre-forward played a critical role in Italy’s success and has scored goals across Italy, England and Turkey. While he may not be as agile as a 17-year-old, his vision, experience and goal-scoring abilities make him one of the bigger challenges for opponents.
Manuel Neuer - Germany
There is no replacement for Manuel Neuer, neither in Bayern Munich nor in Germany’s National Football team. The 40 years and 82 days old player is one of the most influential goalkeepers of this generation. With his iconic sweeper-keeper style, he has changed how the goalkeeping role is understood globally. Despite his injuries and setbacks, he is still the first-choice goalkeeper for Germany.
Vozinha - Cape Verde
Another goalkeeper on the list is Josimar José Évora Dias, aka Vozinha. The 40 years and 14 days old have already proven his mettle against the Spanish side and could be one of the biggest threats to whoever is undermining Cape Verde. For Cape Verdeans, having him as the first-choice goalkeeper in their first World Cup is genuinely a historic moment for the country.
Fernando Muslera - Uruguay
Muslera just turned 40 while I was writing this. At 40 years and 1 day, Fernando Muslera has been a consistent and dependable force in the Uruguayan side for over 1.5 decades. He played a key role for his nation during a golden era that produced multiple deep World Cup runs. Apart from Uruguay, he’s also associated with Argentine club Estudiantes and is a vital factor.
Yuto Nagatomo - Japan
Nagatomo is the only outfield defender to make it on this list. At 39 years and 278 days, Yuto Nagatomo acts like a wall for the Japanese senior football team. The challenge of being a fullback is to cover enormous ground every game, making their physical demands among the highest on the ground. However, we have seen how he’s able to sustain that output despite almost being 40.
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Hernán Galíndez - Ecuador
Born in the same city as Lionel Messi, Hernán Galíndez has been representing the Ecuador Senior team since 2021. At 39 years and 79 days, Galíndez has an impactful and dependable presence in Ecuador’s team. Considering the Ecuador team is going through a transformative phase, the role of Hernán Galíndez becomes even more important. His performance across CONMEBOL qualifiers made him one of the most underrated goalkeepers in South America.
