The 13 Oldest Players in World Cup History
Updated: Jul 29
Oldest Players in World Cup History: Full Top 13 Age Records (Updated 2026)
The World Cup has always been a tournament defined by youth, energy, and breakthrough stars, but every now and then, experience takes centre stage.
While most players reach the international stage in their twenties, a select few have defied time itself to appear at football’s biggest tournament well into their late thirties and forties.
Throughout the entire history of the competition, only a few players have participated at the age of 40 or older. Legendary goalkeepers and iconic outfield players exemplify how veterans have redefined longevity at the elite level.
At the very top of the list stands Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, who remains the oldest player ever to appear in a World Cup match, a record that still stands by a considerable margin. Below is a full look at the 13 oldest players in World Cup history, ranked by age at the time of their final appearance.
Table: The 13 Oldest Players in World Cup History
Rank | Player | Country | Age |
1 | Essam El Hadary | Egypt | 45 years, 161 days |
2 | Faryd Mondragón | Colombia | 43 years, 3 days |
3 | Roger Milla | Cameroon | 42 years, 39 days |
4 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 41 years, 151 days |
5 | Pat Jennings | Northern Ireland | 41 years, 0 days |
6 | Guillermo Ochoa | Mexico | 40 years, 346 days |
7 | Luka Modrić | Croatia | 40 years, 296 days |
8 | Peter Shilton | England | 40 years, 292 days |
9 | Dino Zoff | Italy | 40 years, 133 days |
10 | Edin Džeko | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 40 years, 106 days |
11 | Manuel Neuer | Germany | 40 years, 94 days |
12 | Ali Boumnijel | Tunisia | 40 years, 71 days |
13 | Vozinha | Cape Verde | 40 years, 30 days |
Here Are The 13 Oldest World Cup Players of All-time
1. Essam El Hadary (Egypt)
Egypt vs Saudi Arabia – 25 June 2018 – 45 years, 161 days
El Hadary holds a record that may never be broken. The Egyptian goalkeeper became the oldest player in World Cup history when he featured at the 2018 tournament, playing at 45 years of age against Saudi Arabia.
His appearance not only set a new benchmark for longevity but also highlighted just how rare it is for outfield players, let alone goalkeepers, to reach that stage of international football.
2. Faryd Mondragón (Colombia)
Colombia vs Japan – 24 June 2014 – 43 years, 3 days
Mondragón’s late-career World Cup cameo came in 2014, when he made history for Colombia.
The veteran goalkeeper came on as a substitute against Japan, becoming one of the oldest players ever to feature in the tournament. His appearance was widely celebrated as a fitting reward for decades of service at international level.
3. Roger Milla (Cameroon)
Cameroon vs Russia – 28 June 1994 – 42 years, 39 days
Roger Milla remains one of the most iconic figures in World Cup history. Known for his famous corner-flag celebrations, the Cameroon striker returned to the tournament in 1994 and scored again at the age of 42. He redefined what was possible for African footballers on the global stage.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Portugal vs Spain – 6 July 2026 – 41 years, 151 days
Cristiano Ronaldo became the fourth-oldest player in FIFA World Cup history when he captained Portugal against Spain in the Round of 16, making his 27th appearance at the World Cup across six tournaments.
Portugal's campaign ended in a 1-0 defeat to Spain, bringing the curtain down on Ronaldo's remarkable World Cup career. Although he never lifted the trophy, his longevity, goalscoring records, and two decades at the highest level have secured his place as one of the greatest players in football history.
5. Pat Jennings (Northern Ireland)
Northern Ireland vs Brazil – 12 June 1986 – 41 years, 0 days
One of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, Jennings made his final World Cup appearance in 1986 against Brazil at exactly 41 years old. His longevity at the international level remains a standout achievement in British football history.
6. Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico)
Mexico vs Czechia – 25 June 2026 – 40 years, 346 days
Guillermo Ochoa became the sixth-oldest player in FIFA World Cup history when he featured for Mexico against Czechia in the group stage, making his 12th appearance at the World Cup across six tournaments.
Mexico went on to reach the Round of 16, where they were eliminated by England after an impressive campaign.
Ochoa's sixth World Cup further strengthened his reputation as one of the tournament's most enduring goalkeepers, adding another remarkable chapter to a career defined by longevity and memorable performances on football's biggest stage.
7. Luka Modrić (Croatia)
Croatia vs Portugal – 3 July 2026 – 40 years, 296 days
Luka Modrić became the seventh-oldest player in FIFA World Cup history when he featured for Croatia against Portugal in the Round of 32 at the age of 40 years and 296 days.
The match marked his fifth World Cup appearance and his 23rd game at the tournament, bringing an end to an extraordinary international career. Croatia were eliminated after a 2-1 defeat to Portugal, but Modrić once again showed the intelligence, composure, and technical quality that have defined one of the greatest midfield careers of the modern era.
Following Croatia's elimination, Modrić announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to one of the greatest international careers of the modern era.
8. Peter Shilton (England)
England vs Italy – 7 July 1990 – 40 years, 292 days
Peter Shilton became one of the oldest players in World Cup history when he featured for England against Italy in the 1990 third-place play-off at 40 years and 292 days.
The legendary goalkeeper's final World Cup appearance came during a memorable tournament for England, who reached the semi-finals before losing to West Germany on penalties.
With 17 World Cup appearances across three tournaments, Shilton's longevity and consistency cemented his place as one of the greatest goalkeepers in England's history.
9. Dino Zoff (Italy)
Italy vs Germany – 11 July 1982 – 40 years, 133 days
Zoff captained Italy to World Cup glory in 1982, becoming the oldest World Cup-winning captain in history.
His leadership and composure were central to Italy’s triumph, capping off one of the most respected careers in goalkeeping history.
10. Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – 2 July 2026 – 40 years, 106 days
Edin Džeko became one of the oldest outfield players in FIFA World Cup history when he featured for Bosnia and Herzegovina against the USA at the age of 40 years and 106 days.
The veteran striker's second World Cup appearance ended in disappointment as Bosnia and Herzegovina were eliminated in the Round of 32 following a 2-0 defeat.
However, Džeko's presence on the biggest stage highlighted the remarkable longevity of a player who has enjoyed an outstanding career at both club and international level.
11. Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Germany vs Paraguay – 29 June 2026 – 40 years, 94 days
Manuel Neuer became the 11th-oldest player ever to appear at a FIFA World Cup when he featured for Germany against Paraguay at the age of 40 years and 94 days, making his 23rd World Cup appearance across five tournaments.
Germany's campaign ended in disappointment after a 1-1 draw and penalty shootout defeat against Paraguay in the Round of 32.
Despite the early exit, Neuer's remarkable longevity and influence on modern goalkeeping remain unquestionable, with his revolutionary sweeper-keeper style helping redefine the position for an entire generation.
12. Ali Boumnijel (Tunisia)
Tunisia vs Ukraine – 23 June 2006 – 40 years, 71 days
Ali Boumnijel became one of the oldest players in World Cup history when he featured for Tunisia at the 2006 World Cup, making his sixth World Cup appearance at the age of 40 years and 71 days.
The experienced goalkeeper played a key leadership role for Tunisia during their third World Cup campaign, bringing composure and valuable experience to a side competing on football's biggest stage.
Although Tunisia were eliminated in the group stage, Boumnijel's longevity secured his place among the tournament's most remarkable veterans.
13. Vozinha (Cape Verde)
Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde – 3 July 2026 – 40 years, 30 days
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha entered the World Cup history books when he became the 13th-oldest player ever to appear at the tournament, featuring at the age of 40 years and 30 days during his country's historic World Cup debut in 2026.
The veteran goalkeeper produced memorable performances throughout Cape Verde's historic campaign, including a standout display in their 0-0 draw against Spain, making several important saves and earning widespread praise.
Vozinha's journey to the World Cup was anything but conventional. After building a career across Europe and Africa, the experienced shot-stopper finally achieved his dream of representing Cape Verde at the world's greatest tournament, creating one of the most memorable moments in the nation's football history.
Why Older Players Still Matter at the World Cup
While modern football is increasingly dominated by pace and intensity, the presence of veteran players shows that experience still has a place at the highest level.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup added several new names to the list of football's oldest players, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Manuel Neuer, Guillermo Ochoa, Edin Džeko and Vozinha all extending the boundaries of longevity at the world's biggest tournament.
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