Record Eight Players Aged 40 or Older to Feature at 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will feature a record eight players aged 40 or older, surpassing all previous tournaments combined. Notable veterans include 43-year-old Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, likely a backup, and Cristiano Ronaldo, the oldest outfield player at 41, participating in his sixth World Cup. Other over-40 players include Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa, Cape Verde's Vozinha, Germany's Manuel Neuer, and Uruguay's Fernando Muslera. The tournament also marks the largest World Cup with 48 teams and 1,248 players.