World Cup 2026: Eight 40-somethings join a historic list | OneFootball

Eight players aged 40 or over will feature at the 2026 World Cup, taking the historic tally from seven to 15 and highlighting longer careers.

El Periódico Mediterráneo notes Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, born 31 December 1982, will be the oldest of the 1,248 call-ups, and he is Hearts' starter.

The oldest ever remains Egypt's Essam El-Hadary, 45 years and 161 days, who saved a penalty against Saudi Arabia at Russia 2018, though Egypt lost. Gordon, 43, will rank second, pushing Colombia's Faryd Mondragón down after his cameo at Brazil 2014.

The oldest World Cup winner is Dino Zoff, 40 years and 133 days as Italy's captain in 1982, and keepers often last longer given their specific, less wearing role.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, leads the veteran outfielders in his sixth World Cup. He and Lionel Messi, plus Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa, debuted in 2006 and have qualified every time.

The previous participation record was five, from Antonio Carbajal through Andrés Guardado. Messi turns 39 on 24 June and tops the World Cup appearance list on 26, four ahead of Ronaldo.

Also in this club are Croatia's Luka Modric and Bosnia-Hercegovina's Edin Dzeko, both starters. Uruguay's Fernando Muslera turns 40 on 16 June for a fifth finals, with Germany's Manuel Neuer and Cabo Verde's Josimar Dias, known as Vozinha, completing the group.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo