From Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric to Guillermo Ochoa and Craig Gordon, these are the five oldest players preparing to compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will showcase the next generation of football stars, but it will also provide a stage for some of the game’s most enduring veterans.
Craig Gordon
At the top of the list is Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who will be 43 years and 162 days old when the tournament begins. Gordon’s career has been one of football’s great comeback stories. After battling serious injuries that once threatened to end his playing days, he rebuilt his career and remained a reliable presence for both club and country.
Scotland’s three selected World Cup goalkeepers have played a COMBINED 265 league minutes this season. 🏴 🤯
Craig Gordon – 220 mins
Angus Gunn – 45 mins
Liam Kelly – 0 mins pic.twitter.com/zy6MXVrHbj— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 19, 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo
Second on the list is Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be 41 years and 126 days old. While many players begin winding down their careers in their mid-thirties, Ronaldo continues to defy expectations.
The Portugal captain remains a goalscoring force and has adapted his game brilliantly over the years. No longer relying solely on pace, he has become the ultimate penalty-box predator, using his movement, positioning, and finishing ability to remain one of football’s most dangerous attackers.
The 2026 tournament could also mark his sixth World Cup appearance, adding another remarkable chapter to an already legendary career.
Guillermo Ochoa
Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa ranks third at 40 years and 333 days. Few players are as closely associated with the World Cup as Ochoa, whose performances on football’s biggest stage have become the stuff of legend.
ONE LAST ROAD.
FIFA World Cup 2026 🇲🇽@FIFAWorldCup @FIFAcom @miseleccionmx #NoMemoNoParty #6WC #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Eo2BFS6LCG
— Guillermo Ochoa (@yosoy8a) June 8, 2026
From his stunning display against Brazil in 2014 to countless crucial saves across multiple tournaments, Ochoa has repeatedly delivered when Mexico needed him most. His experience and composure could once again prove invaluable as El Tri look to impress on home soil.
Luka Modric
In fourth place is Croatia’s midfield maestro Luka Modric, who will be 40 years and 275 days old. Modric has already cemented his status as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, helping Croatia reach the 2018 World Cup final and inspiring another deep run in Qatar four years later.
A Croatian @FIFAWorldCup record-breaker 👏
As well as being his nation’s all-time FIFA World Cup appearance holder, Luka Modrić could also reach 200 caps for Croatia at FIFA World Cup 2026 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/z8fwNHNgLd
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 8, 2026
Even as younger stars emerge, his vision, passing range, and football intelligence remain exceptional. Few players understand how to control the tempo of a match quite like the Croatian captain.
Edin Dzeko
Rounding out the top five is Bosnia and Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko, who will be 40 years and 86 days old.
Throughout his career, Dzeko has quietly built a reputation as one of Europe’s most reliable forwards, enjoying successful spells in Germany, England, Italy, and Turkey. Despite his age, he remains a physical presence in attack and continues to contribute important goals for his national team.
Oldest Players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
🏴 Craig Gordon — 43 years
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo — 41 years
🇲🇽 Guillermo Ochoa — 40 years
🇭🇷 Luka Modrić — 40 years
🇧🇦 Edin Džeko — 40 years
🇩🇪 Manuel Neuer — 40 years
🇨🇻 Vozinha — 40 years
🇺🇾 Fernando Muslera — 39
🇯🇵 Yuto Nagatomo — 39… pic.twitter.com/C1VuzoQWyv— Infostrix (@Infostrixx) June 6, 2026
