Historic Participation of Older Players in 2026 FIFA World Cup

Record Number of Players Over 40 in Upcoming World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to make history by including eight players aged 40 and above in the squad selections, a figure that surpasses the total number of such players from all previous 22 tournaments combined. This prestigious event will take place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Among the oldest participants is Scotland's goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who will be 43 during the tournament. If he takes the field, he would become the second-oldest player to appear in a World Cup, following Egypt's Essam El Hadary, who played at 45 in 2018. However, Gordon is expected to be the backup for first-choice keeper Angus Gunn.

Additionally, Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, will be the oldest outfield player and is poised to make his sixth World Cup appearance. He shares this remarkable achievement with Mexico's 40-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and Lionel Messi, who will celebrate his 39th birthday shortly.

Other notable players over 40 include Cape Verde's debutant goalkeeper Vozinha and Germany's Manuel Neuer, a 2014 World Cup champion who is working to recover from a calf injury to play against Curacao in Houston this Sunday.

Uruguay's Fernando Muslera will also join the ranks of the 40-year-olds, celebrating his milestone just a day after Uruguay kicks off their Group H campaign against Saudi Arabia in Miami.

FIFA has announced a record-breaking participation for the 2026 World Cup, with 1,248 players from 48 nations set to compete in this expanded tournament.

This edition promises to feature more teams, players, and matches than any previous World Cup, according to FIFA's official website.

Argentina, the reigning champions after their victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will look to defend their title. Led by the iconic Lionel Messi, Argentina triumphed over France in a dramatic final that ended in a penalty shootout (4-2) after a 3-3 draw in extra time.