FIFA ageless wonders: record eight players over 40 set for World Cup 2026

The number exceeds the total of such players from all 22 previous World Cup editions combined by one.

Among the most notable names expected to feature are Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be the oldest outfield player at 41, 40-year-old Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, and 39-year-old Lionel Messi, who will also reach that milestone.

Ronaldo and Ochoa are set to make their sixth World Cup appearances, tying the record. Scotland’s goalkeeper Craig Gordon, at 43, is expected to be the tournament’s oldest player and the second-oldest in World Cup history, behind Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, who played at 45 against Saudi Arabia in 2018.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, Croatia midfielder Luka Modrić, and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha are also among the players over 40 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite the sport's increasing physical demands, the 2026 tournament, hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will highlight the ongoing impact of seasoned players on football's biggest stage.

FIFA has announced a record number of participants for the 2026 World Cup, with final squad lists revealing that 1,248 players from 48 countries will compete in the expanded global tournament.

Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported the list of the top 15 young stars to watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.