Cristiano Ronaldo Set to Join Top Oldest Players List at 2026 World Cup

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, attention is turning to Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who could secure a place among the oldest players ever to participate in the tournament if he continues his international career until then.

At the start of the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo is expected to be 41 years and 126 days old, which would position him as the fourth oldest player in World Cup history. He would trail behind Cameroonian Roger Milla, who played at 42 years old; Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón, who was 43; and the legendary Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, who leads the list as the oldest player ever, having competed at 45 years of age during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Currently, Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon ranks second on the list of oldest players, potentially reaching 43 years old if he participates in the 2026 tournament, making him the second oldest player after El-Hadary.

The roster of oldest players expected for the 2026 World Cup also includes notable names such as Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (40 years old), Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić (40 years old), Bosnian forward Edin Džeko (40 years old), German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (40 years old), and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha (40 years old).

Ronaldo’s participation in the 2026 World Cup would place him among a historic group of football legends who have left a significant legacy in the sport, illustrating the continued presence of veteran players contributing to the game on the world stage.