By Admin 
Just as Virat Kohli is scoring a mountain of runs in cricket despite the age of 37, the legendary footballer is doing the same in the FIFA World Cup 2026. This time the World Cup has become a tournament of the ‘old guard’, where players who have completed 40 years of age are making new records and giving competition to the youngsters. In the last 22 World Cups (1930 to 2022), a total of 7 players were able to play at the age of 40. This means that more ‘old’ players are taking part in the same tournament than in the last 92 years. After all, how are these ‘old’ lions roaring in their last World Cup…
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): Portugal’s legendary World Cup goalscorer
- Birth: 5 February 1985
- Age: 41 years 138 days
Ronaldo scored 2 brilliant goals against Uzbekistan on 23 June 2026 and helped Portugal win 5-0. With this his total goals in the World Cup became 10. He became Portugal’s biggest World Cup goalscorer. He broke the record of Eusebio (9 goals).
At the age of 41, he became the second oldest player to score a goal in the history of the World Cup. At number one is Roger Mila of Cameroon (42 years, 39 days). Also, he became the first player to score a goal in 6 different World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). After scoring the goal, he shouted in front of the camera – ‘I am back.’
2. Manuel Neuer (Germany): Return from retirement and 5th World Cup
- Birth: 27 March 1986
- Age: 40 years 76 days
Neuer had retired from international football after 2024. But due to Germany’s goalkeeping crisis, coach Julian Nagelsmann called him back. He has played 21 World Cup matches so far, which is the highest for any goalkeeper. At the age of 40, he became Germany’s oldest player. He is the last remaining player of the 2014 World Cup winning team.
3. Luka Modric (Croatia): Celebrating 200th cap
- Birth: 9 September 1985
- Age: 40 years 281 days
Modric completed his 200th international cap on 23 June 2026 in the match against Panama. Even at the age of 40, he remains the pivot of Croatia’s midfield. After the match, his teammates celebrated by throwing him in the air. Runner-up in 2018 and third in 2022 are the biggest pillars of the Croatian team.
4. Lionel Messi (Argentina): Made history with 18 goals
- Birth: 24 June 1987
- Age: 39 years during the tournament
Messi has scored 5 goals in 3 matches so far in this World Cup. On June 23, 2026, he scored 2 goals against Austria and led Argentina to a 2-0 win. In this match, he made the record of scoring the highest number of 18 goals in the history of the World Cup. He broke the 12-year-old record of great German striker Miroslav Klose (16 goals). Earlier, he had scored the first World Cup hat-trick of his career against Algeria. He has become the player to score goals in 6 consecutive World Cup matches.
5. Neymar Jr. (Brazil): Return after 650 days
- Birth: 5 February 1992
- Age: 34 years
Neymar last played for Brazil in 2023. After this, he continued to struggle with injuries for 650 days. He returned after knee surgery in February 2026. Has scored 79 goals for Brazil, leaving behind the record of Pelé (77 goals).
6. Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico): 6 World Cup Historian
- Birth: 13 July 1985
- Age: 40 years
Ochoa, along with Messi and Ronaldo, is among the few players who have played in 6 World Cups. His World Cup journey started from Germany 2006. However, this time he remained on the bench in the first two matches. The coach has said that he can be given a historic start against Czechia.
7. Craig Gordon (Scotland): Oldest player of the tournament
- Birth: 31 December 1982
- Age: 43 years 162 days
Gordon is the oldest player in this World Cup and also the second oldest player in World Cup history. He made his professional debut even before the 2002 World Cup. Has been playing for Scotland team for 22 years. He is the most experienced player of the Scotland team, which reached the World Cup for the first time since France 1998.
8. Edin Dzeko (Bosnia): Bosnia’s greatest goalscorer
- Birth: 17 March 1986
- Age: 40 years 86 days
Dzeko is Bosnia’s player who has played the most caps (International matches) and has scored the most goals. Even at the age of 40, he is the captain of the Bosnia team. He took the team to the World Cup by scoring 6 goals in 9 matches in the World Cup qualification. Has scored 6 goals in 8 matches for Schalke.
9. Fernando Muslera (Uruguay): Veteran of 4 World Cups
- Birth: 16 June 1986
- Age: Turned 40 during the tournament
Muslera was Uruguay’s first-choice goalkeeper in 2010, 2014, 2018. There was a back-up in 2022. Returned in March 2026 after spending 18 years in Europe. Even at the age of 40, he is Uruguay’s first choice goalkeeper.
10. Vojinha (Cape Verde): The biggest surprise package of the World Cup
- Birth: 3 June 1986
- Age: 40 years 8 days
Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup for the first time in its history. Vojinha made 7 brilliant saves in the historic 0-0 draw against Spain and became the ‘Player of the Match’. This match was considered one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup. After this performance, his Instagram followers increased from 40,000 to more than 15 million.
What is the secret of the ‘old’ lions in FIFA?
These 10 players are not just old. This is football history. Messi and Ronaldo have been playing the World Cup for 20 years. Gordon has been in the service of Scotland for 22 years. Neuer returned from retirement. Neymar returned after 650 days of injury. Vojinha made his World Cup debut at the age of 40.
In the last 22 World Cups, only 7 players were able to play at the age of 40 and in 2026, only 10 players are at this stage. This figure shows that the age of players has increased in modern football. Better fitness, science, diet and training have made these legends capable of shining on the world’s biggest stage even after 40.
Just as Virat Kohli is in great form in cricket even at the last stage of his age, similarly these footballers have become ‘heroes’ for their respective countries. This tournament is proving that experience in football never gets old, rather it keeps getting better.