Eight Players Aged 40 or Older to Compete at 2026 World Cup, FIFA Data Shows

The 2026 World Cup will feature eight players aged 40 or older, a record number that surpasses the combined total from all 22 previous tournaments dating back to 1930, according to FIFA data. The group includes Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Croatia's Luka Modrić, and Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Scotland's Craig Gordon, at 43, is the oldest player in the cohort. Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, Bosnia-Herzegovina forward Edin Džeko, Uruguay's Fernando Muslera, and Cape Verde forward Vozinha round out the list. Vozinha's inclusion marks Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup appearance. FIFA statistics indicate the number of veteran players at the tournament exceeds the total from the previous 92-year span of World Cup competitions.