Oldest Players at the 2026 World Cup: Messi and Former Niké Liga Goalkeeper. Ronaldo Could Break Long-Standing Record

The oldest participant at the 2026 World Cup is 43-year-old Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon. He certainly won't break the historical record set by Essam El Hadary, the Egyptian goalkeeper who featured at the 2018 World Cup at 45 years and 161 days old.

Among outfield players, one of football's all-time greats, Cristiano Ronaldo, is the oldest. Should he lift the trophy with Portugal, he would become the oldest winner in history. The current record is held by Italy's Dino Zoff from the 1982 World Cup, who was 40 years and 133 days old at the time.

The Portuguese phenomenon could also become the oldest participant in a final and the oldest goalscorer.

Ronaldo, alongside his long-time rival for the title of the world's best footballer, Lionel Messi, will participate in their sixth World Cup, setting a new record at the top of the historical rankings.

The seventh oldest participant in the tournament is Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha, who played for AS Trenčín from 2022-24.

If Slovakia were to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, 39-year-old right-back Peter Pekarík could feature among the oldest players. He would be the fifth oldest outfield player and tenth overall.

1. Craig Gordon (Scotland/Hearts) – 43 years and 162 days
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Al-Nassr) – 41 years and 126 days
3. Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico/AEL Limassol) – 40 years and 333 days
4. Luka Modrić (Croatia/AC Milan) – 40 years and 275 days
5. Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina/Schalke) – 40 years and 86 days
6. Manuel Neuer (Germany/Bayern Munich) – 40 years and 76 days
7. Vozinha (Cape Verde/Chaves) – 40 years and 8 days
8. Fernando Muslera (Uruguay/Estudiantes) - 39 years and 360 days
9. Yuto Nagatomo (Japan/FC Tokyo) – 39 years and 272 days
10. Hernán Galíndez (Ecuador/Huracán) - 39 years and 73 days

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Al-Nassr) – 41 years and 126 days
2. Luka Modrić (Croatia/AC Milan) – 40 years and 275 days
3. Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina/Schalke) – 40 years and 86 days
4. Yuto Nagatomo (Japan/FC Tokyo) – 39 years and 272 days
5. Lionel Messi (Argentina/Inter Miami) – 38 years and 352 days
6. Tim Ream (USA/Charlotte) – 38 years and 249 days
7. Alberto Quintero (Panama/Plaza Amador) - 38 years and 175 days
8. Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina/Benfica) – 38 years and 119 days
9. Stopira (Cape Verde/Torreense) – 38 years and 22 days
10. Michael Boxall (New Zealand/Minnesota) - 37 years and 297 days)

VIDEO: Peter Pekarík after his last match for Slovakia: