World Cup 2026: No more players over 40

Eight footballers over the age of 40, including Cristiano Ronaldo, will play in the upcoming World Cup, which is more than in all previous tournaments combined.

In the previous 22 editions of the World Cup, from 1930 to 2022, only seven players over the age of 40 have played. Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff was the first, in Spain 1982, while Mexican goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera was the last, in Qatar 2022.

This number of players over 40 will now increase significantly, and all of them are undoubtedly ready to prove to the world that age is just a number.

Craig Gordon, Scotland

Scotland goalkeeper Gordon will be the oldest player at this year's tournament and the second oldest in World Cup history, after Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who played in Russia 2018 at the age of 45 years and five months.

Born on December 31, 1982, the Scottish goalkeeper will be 43 years and five months old when the tournament begins. He has played for Scotland for more than 22 years, spent five seasons at Sunderland and came incredibly close to winning the Scottish league with Hearts this season. This will be his first World Cup, and Scotland are returning to the world's biggest stage for the first time since France in 1998.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

Ronaldo, born on February 5, 1985, is still chasing one of the few missing achievements in his illustrious career two decades after his first World Cup. An eventual triumph with Portugal would make him the oldest World Cup winner in history, surpassing Zofia, who lifted the trophy with Italy at the age of 40. The tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico also offers Ronaldo the chance to get closer to another milestone - 1.000 official international appearances.

Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico

If Mexico reach their first World Cup semi-final, Ochoa would finish the tournament at the age of 41, having been born on July 13, 1985. His World Cup journey began in Germany in 2006, and he will now join Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in an exclusive group with six World Cup appearances. Ochoa was not even in the plans for the World Cup this time, but a serious injury to Luis Malagon paved the way for his return to the national team.

Luka Modric, Croatia

Modrić was at the heart of Croatia's best moments at the World Cup, helping the national team to second place in 2018 and third place in 2022. A key figure in the golden generation of the "fierce", Modrić left Real Madrid at the start of the season and finished his preparations for this World Cup in Milan. Now at 40 years and nine months, he will return to the stage where he wrote some of the greatest chapters of his illustrious career.

Edin Dzeko, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina's record-holder and all-time top scorer turned 40 in March and celebrated by helping his country qualify for the World Cup with a play-off win over Italy. Džeko and the Dragons are preparing for their return to the biggest stage of football, 12 years after their only previous appearance. Džeko arrives at the World Cup in great form after helping Schalke return to the Bundesliga.

Fernando Muslera, Uruguay

Uruguay's first choice goalkeeper at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups and reserve goalkeeper at Qatar 2022, Muslera returned to the national team in March this year after being left out by coach Marcelo Bielsa. Muslera will certainly be a great support to his teammates at this World Cup, and they will certainly try to brighten his day when he turns 40 on June 16.

Manuel Neuer, Germany

One of the best goalkeepers of his generation, he retired from international football after Euro 2024. He later changed his mind, however, and his return was headline news when Germany's squad for this year's World Cup, which will be his fifth, was announced. The last remaining member of the 2014 World Cup-winning German team, he will compete in the tournament at the age of 40 years and two months.

Vozinja, Cape Verde

Vozinja was 39 when Cape Verde secured their first World Cup qualification. The goalkeeper turned 40 during the preparations on June 3, and his team showed they were serious with a 3-0 win over Serbia. He has played 88 games for the national team since making his debut in 2012.