The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature eight players aged 40 or over, the highest number in a single edition of the tournament. All 48 competing nations have named their final squads, producing a record-breaking group of veteran footballers.
Previous World Cups featured only eight players aged at least 40 across all 22 editions combined. The 23rd tournament will match that total in one competition.
The oldest player in the field is . The Scotland goalkeeper, aged 43, will play in his first World Cup. Scotland return to the tournament for the first time since 1998, giving Gordon a long-awaited chance to appear on football’s biggest stage.
Five of the eight players are goalkeepers. Alongside Gordon, the list includes , , and . Gordon and Diaz will both make their World Cup debuts.
The second-oldest player in the tournament is . The 41-year-old Portugal captain will compete in his sixth World Cup, matching the record for the most tournament appearances by a player.
Ochoa will also play in a sixth World Cup for Mexico. Among the over-40 group, only and Neuer currently play in Europe’s top domestic leagues, with Modrić representing and Neuer remaining at .
The veteran list also includes . His selection means three outfield players aged 40 or over will take part in the tournament alongside the five goalkeepers.
Scotland will compete in Group C with , and . Gordon could face five-time world champions Brazil in Scotland’s third group match.
