A record eight players aged 40 or older have been selected for the 2026 World Cup, held across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, surpassing the total from all 22 previous tournaments combined [1, 2, 3, 4]. The oldest player at the finals is 43-year-old Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who is expected to serve as backup to first-choice keeper Angus Gunn [1, 2, 3, 4].
Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is the oldest outfield player and will participate in a record sixth World Cup. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez highlighted Ronaldo's unique experience, saying, "None have lived what he has in the number of decisive games he’s played over his career. He also brings experience in decisive moments that nobody else in the squad can match" [1].
Other over-40 players include Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (40), Argentina’s Lionel Messi (turning 39 later in June 2026), Croatia’s Luka Modric, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Edin Dzeko, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, Germany’s Manuel Neuer, and Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera [1, 2, 3, 4]. Both Neuer and Muslera had retired but returned to international play after their coaches convinced them to rejoin the squads [4].
Neuer, a 2014 World Cup winner, is recovering from a calf injury and hopes to play in Germany’s Group E match against Curaçao on June 14 or 15 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Muslera will turn 40 on June 16, one day after Uruguay’s Group H opener against Saudi Arabia in Miami [1, 2, 3, 4].
Craig Gordon’s age of 43 makes him the second oldest player ever at a World Cup, behind Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, who was 45 in 2018 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Roger Milla remains the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, netting at age 42 in 1994, a record unlikely to be broken at this tournament [1, 2, 3, 4].
The 2026 World Cup kicked off on June 9, marking the first time the event spans three countries and features so many veteran players participating on the world stage [1, 2, 3, 4]. Germany’s match against Curaçao is scheduled for June 15, where Neuer aims to make his tournament debut if fit [3, 4]. Meanwhile, Uruguay faces Saudi Arabia in Miami’s opening Group H game on June 15 [1, 2, 3, 4].
Fernando Muslera’s 40th birthday on June 16 comes just one day after Uruguay’s opening match, a milestone celebrated amid World Cup action [1, 2, 3, 4].
