It is a long time dream of every player in the world of football to participate in the FIFA World Cup series at least once. There is no age limit to participate in this series, so a team will feature many young and old players. Mexico’s goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera (40 years old) is known to be the oldest player in the ongoing World Cup football series in Qatar. Like him, here are some of the oldest players to ever play in FIFA World Cup football history.
Essam El-Hadary, (45 years old)
Egypt’s Essam El Hadary has become the oldest player to play in the World Cup. Goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary played at the 2018 World Cup in Russia at the age of 45. He successfully saved a penalty shot against Saudi Arabia. With this, he also received the award of the oldest player to prevent a penalty shot from falling into the goal.
Farid Mondragon, (43 years old)
Colombia’s Farid Mondragon was 43 when he took the field against Japan at the 2014 World Cup. Essam El-Hadary is the oldest player to have played in a World Cup. Farid Mondragon holds some more amazing records. Prior to the 2014 World Cup, he had played in the 1998 World Cup. He has played in the longest gap between two World Cup series. Farid Mondragon announced his retirement after Colombia’s 2-1 loss to Brazil in the play-offs of the 2014 World Cup.
Roger Milla, (age 42)
Cameroon’s Roger Milla is the third oldest player to play at the World Cup. Cameroon’s Roger Milla is the oldest goalscorer. He was 42 years 39 days old when he kicked the ball into the net in the 1994 series against Russia. In a football career spanning 77 games and over 20 years, Roger Milla has scored 43 goals.
Pat Jennings, (age 41)
Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings was 41 years old when he took the field against the mighty Brazil in the 1986 World Cup group stage match. After playing 119 games for his country between 1964 and 1986, Pat Jennings announced his retirement in the same year.
Peter Shilton, (age 40)
England goalkeeper Peter Shilton was the oldest player to play in the 1990 World Cup. Argentina’s Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal in the 1986 World Cup final is still talked about today. Peter Shilton is best known for his role as the goalkeeper in that tournament.
Farmiga, (41 years old)
Brazil midfielder Formica is the oldest female footballer to play at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the age of 41. Formica, who made his debut in 1995, retired in 2021 after playing 234 matches for Brazil.
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