The Oldest Football Players In The History Of FIFA World Cup

A ravishingly fast and physical sport like football won’t let take any breaks. If you’re standing still, you might as well find a bed and nap. Goes without saying that you will be, more often than not, richly penalised for your lack of movement and action. Stamina, speed, and endurance are the game’s platinum currency. 

If we indulge in lazy thinking, it’s easy to conclude that elite, professional football is a world that only incorporates the energy of youth. However, that is exactly what we are not going to do. The history of the sport shows that there have been countless players who have consistently rebelled against their mortality and empowered the cliche that says ‘age is just a number’, and Betway Insider are a few of those who agree with this.

FootTheBall lists down the 10 oldest men’s footballers who represented their country at the grandest stage.

1. Essam El-Hadary, Egypt (45 years, 161 days)

On June 25, 2018, Essam El-Hadary did something quite remarkable. In Egypt’s final group game against Saudi Arabia, El-Hadary became the oldest player to play (and debut!) in a men’s FIFA World Cup at the age of 45 years and 161 days. The same day, he also let his gloves talk when he became the first African goalie to stop a penalty in a World Cup finals match. 

Famously called the “High Dam”, El-Hadary’s illustrious career spanned more than two-and-a-half decades. He donned the Pharaohs’ colours third-most times (159) and won the AFCON on four occasions. 

All that celebration for nothing?#Cristiano #Portugal #Adidas pic.twitter.com/yM95B93tVS

— FootTheBall FC (@FootTheBallFC) November 29, 2022

2. Faryd Mondragón, Colombia (43 years, 3 days)

In the men’s 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, with Colombia’s qualification to the Round of 16 confirmed, the then-Los Cafeteros gaffer, José Pékerman gave his second-choice goalkeeper, Faryd Mondragón, a belated birthday gift by subbing him on in the dying moments of their final group game against Japan, making him the then-oldest men’s player to feature in a World Cup finals game.   

Having also represented Columbia in the 1998 France World Cup, Mondragón’s next appearance versus Japan came after a gap of 15 years and 363 days, making that the longest time wait time for a men’s player to make two World Cup appearances. 

3. Roger Milla, Cameroon (42 years, 39 days)

Third in the all-time list, Roger Milla happens to be the oldest striker to play in a men’s…