Who is the oldest World Cup player? This 43-year-old leads the way

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon is the oldest player in the 2026 World Cup at the age of 43, more than a quarter-century older than the tournament's youngest participant, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora of Mexico.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is the second-oldest player in this tournament and will be making his record-setting sixth World Cup appearance, breaking that mark alongside Argentina's Lionel Messi (39 on June 24).

Other 40-year-olds in the World Cup include Croatia legend Luka Modric (41 in September), veteran Bosnia and Herzegovina striker Edin Džeko and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who led his country to its fourth title back in 2014.

Here's a look at the oldest players in this year's World Cup taking place across North America:

Oldest players in World Cup 2026

1. Craig Gordon (Scotland) – 43 – Dec. 31, 1982
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 41 – Feb. 5, 1985
3. Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) – 40 – July 13, 1985
4. Luka Modric (Croatia) – 40 – Sept. 9, 1985
5. Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – 40 – March 17, 1986
6. Manuel Neuer (Germany) – 40 – March 27, 1986
7. Vozinha (Cape Verde) – 40 – June 3, 1986
8. Fernando Muslera (Uruguay) – 39 – June 16, 1986
9. Yūto Nagatomo (Japan) – 39 – Sept. 12, 1986
10. Hernán Galíndez (Ecuador) – 39 – March 30, 1987
11. El Mahdy Soliman (Egypt) – 39 – June 8, 1987

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