The 2026 FIFA World Cup is poised to set a historic milestone with eight footballers aged 40 or older included in the official tournament squads. This marks the highest number of veteran players ever featured in a single edition of the tournament. Strikingly, from the inaugural World Cup in 1930 up until the current edition, only eight players aged 40 or older had ever participated across the entire history of the competition.
This statistical revelation emerged following an analysis conducted by the Brazilian media outlet O Globo, which examined the definitive list of 1,248 footballers registered for the 2026 tournament. The eight individuals meeting this veteran age bracket are Craig Gordon, Cristiano Ronaldo, Guillermo Ochoa, Luka Modrić, Edin Džeko, Manuel Neuer, Josimar Díaz, and Fernando Muslera.
Tactical Demographics and Notable Debuts
Goalkeepers comprise the majority of this veteran cohort, accounting for five out of the eight players identified. Among these five shot-stoppers, Scotland’s Craig Gordon and Josimar Díaz are scheduled to make their World Cup debuts.
At 43 years of age, Gordon stands out as the oldest registered player in the 2026 tournament. He is projected to serve as Scotland’s first-choice goalkeeper. Scotland’s campaign begins on 24 June 2026, when they face Brazil in their opening Group C fixture. Should Gordon take the field, he will officially become the oldest active player in this edition. However, the absolute record for the oldest player in World Cup history remains held by the former Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, who played in the 2018 World Cup at the age of 45 years and 161 days.
Tournament Pioneers and Elite Club Representation
The second-oldest player on the list is the Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who enters the tournament at 41 years of age. This campaign marks Ronaldo’s sixth consecutive World Cup appearance. Similarly, Mexico’s 40-year-old goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa, is also entering his sixth World Cup tournament.
While the majority of players at this advanced stage of their careers operate outside of Europe’s primary domestic competitions, two individuals from this group continue to play within the traditional top five European leagues. Real Madrid legend Luka Modrić is registered with AC Milan, whilst Manuel Neuer continues to represent Bayern Munich.
Registered Veterans Aged 40 and Over at the 2026 World Cup
| Player Name | Country | Age | Playing Position | Current Top 5 European Club | World Cup Status |
| Craig Gordon | Scotland | 43 | Goalkeeper | No | Tournament Debutant |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 41 | Forward | No | Sixth Tournament Appearance |
| Guillermo Ochoa | Mexico | 40 | Goalkeeper | No | Sixth Tournament Appearance |
| Luka Modrić | Croatia | 40 | Midfielder | Yes (AC Milan) | Multiple Appearances |
| Manuel Neuer | Germany | 40 | Goalkeeper | Yes (Bayern Munich) | Multiple Appearances |
| Edin Džeko | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 40 | Forward | No | Multiple Appearances |
| Josimar Díaz | Cuba / Registered Nation | 40 | Goalkeeper | No | Tournament Debutant |
| Fernando Muslera | Uruguay | 40 | Goalkeeper |
