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.

Today the teams of England and Sri Lanka are face to face in the Super-8 of the 2026 T20 World Cup. After the England team lost the toss and came to bat first, the Sri Lankan bowlers had no success against their batsmen. Sri Lankan bowlers gave a charismatic performance and restricted England to 146 runs. Phil Salt played an inning of 62 runs in 40 balls for England. But apart from him, no other English batsman could do wonders. For Sri Lanka, Dunith Vellalage took three wickets giving just 26 runs in 4 overs.

After winning the toss, the Sri Lankan team came to bowl first and bowled tightly from the beginning. Took 2 wickets in the powerplay and allowed the score to reach only 37. Except Phil Salt, none of the English batsmen could play sustainably. Jos Buttler was out after scoring 07 runs in 14 balls, Jacob Bethel was out after scoring 03 runs in 04 balls, Tom Banton was out after scoring 06 runs in 07 balls.

On one side all the batsmen were getting out while on the other side Phil Salt was scoring runs easily. When 3 wickets fell for 49 runs in the 8th over, everyone’s hopes were pinned on captain Harry Brook, but he did not support. Captain Brook was out after scoring 14 runs in 07 balls. After this, Sam Curran returned to the pavilion after scoring 11 runs in 11 balls.

Phil Salt scored a half-century during this period. Salt played a brilliant inning of 62 runs in 40 balls. 6 fours and 2 sixes came from his bat. In the end Will Jacques scored an important 21 runs. Jacques hit 4 fours in his 14-ball innings. Jamie Overton took the score beyond 140 by hitting a six in the last over. He remained unbeaten on 10 runs with one six in 10 balls.

Spinner Dunith Vellalage took 3 wickets for Sri Lanka. Whereas fast bowler Dilshan Madhushanka took two wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs. Apart from this, spinner Mahisha Theekshna took two wickets for 21 runs in 4 overs. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera also got one wicket.

DP World Players Championship 2026 is being organized at Qutub Golf Course, Delhi. Hany Baisoya scored the day’s best score of six-under 64 at the end of the third round to take a commanding lead of five shots. Earlier Baisoya was at second position. He was one shot behind the lead. He made seven birdies and one bogey on Thursday to take his 54-hole total to 18-under 192.

Baisoya, 29, who hails from DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram, is a seven-time winner of the DP World PGTI. He wants to end the title drought that has been going on for five years. He won it for the last time in 2021.

Jamal Hussain (65-54-68) scored 68 on the third day, with this he has moved up one place to second position in the table. His score is 13-under 197. First round leader Kshitij Naveed Kaul (65), second round leader Jharred Hack (71), Tapendra Ghai (66) and Veer Ahlawat (66) are all tied at third place with scores of 12-under 198.

Honey Baisoya’s putter helped him make a splash early in the day. He made three birdies from a range of 10 to 15 feet in the first six holes. Baisoya bounced back well after being in danger on the fifth hole, where a bogey reduced the loss for him.

Kapil Dev Statement On The Exclusion Of Bangladeshi Players From The PGTI Tour: Great cricketer and PGTI President Kapil Dev said on Monday, January 5, 2026, that no decision has been taken yet regarding the participation of Bangladeshi players in the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). Bangladesh Cricket Board has decided not to send its team for the T20 World Cup to be held in India next month in February due to security reasons and after the advice of its government. Earlier, IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had decided to remove Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the team on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Kapil Dev gave statement on exclusion of Bangladeshi players from PGTI Tour

When asked about the possibility of excluding Bangladeshi players from the PGTI Tour, Kapil Dev said, ‘We will talk about it. No decision has been taken yet. Many prominent golfers from Bangladesh, including Jamal Hossain, Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman and Mohammad Akbar Hossain, play on the PGTI Tour. At the same time, Kapil Dev refused to comment on the latest decision of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) which wrote a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The 1983 World Cup-winning captain was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the inauguration of PGTI’s franchise-based golf league ’72 The League’.

Statement also given on development of golf in India

Kapil Dev said that India needs a team-based structure for the development of golf. He also gave the example of changes in Indian cricket after the Indian Premier League. He said, ‘I used to play cricket which is a team game whereas golf is an individual game but India needs a team format in golf also.’ He further said, ‘The change that took place in Indian cricket after the arrival of the Indian Premier League, we want to do the same in golf through this league.’

Australia vs England 5th Test is being played at Sydney Cricket Ground, in which something happened which has not happened in the last 138 years. For the first time, Australia is playing without a specialist spinner. Steve Smith said that he was forced to take this decision, he also looked unhappy with the pitch.

Australia cricket team has already made an unassailable lead in the Ashes series. The team won the first 3 matches, while the fourth match was won by England. The Sydney Test started from Sunday. There is no specialist spinner in Australia’s playing 11, on which Steve Smith said that he did not like it but the pitch was such that he had no other option.

This happened for the first time in 138 years

This is the first time in 138 years that Australia is playing a Test match without a specialist spinner at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Smith said that he was brought to this situation where he was forced to take this decision. Beau Webster was included in the playing 11 in the fifth test. Off-spinner Todd Murphy was dropped.

Australian captain Steve Smith said, “I also do not like playing without a spinner, but the kind of pitches that are being made where there is no possibility of spin and where only the cracks will play a role, then what option will the captain have.”

The role of spinners has been continuously decreasing in this series. Nathan Lyon was dropped from the Brisbane Test. Todd Murphy was dropped from the Sydney Test after Melbourne. At the same time, the England team also did not give a chance to their main spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Sydney Test. Bashir did not play in any test in this series.

Spinners lacked importance in the series

Steve Smith said that if the spinners do not get help on the pitch, they can score runs more quickly. This turns the match in favor of the opposing team. Smith said, “I like to see the spinners playing a role, but in the current conditions there is no concrete reason to bowl to them.”

The Sydney pitch was considered helpful for spinners, but the fast bowlers seem to be getting help there. There is a lot of talk on whether such pitches will not reduce the importance of spinners’ art in the game?

Rain spoiled the game on the first day

England had decided to bat first after winning the toss. After 3 wickets fell at 57, Joe Root (72) and Harry Brook (78) took charge of the innings and both remained unbeaten till the end of the day’s play. Let us tell you that due to rain only 45 overs were played on the first day. England has scored 211 runs after losing 3 wickets.

Arshdeep Singh is considered a very happy person. Arshdeep, who proves to be lethal for the batsmen on the cricket field, often makes videos on comedy viral reels on social media. He also tries to make the people around him laugh. Currently, one of his videos is going viral on social media, in which he is touching the feet of an elderly female fan. The female fan was standing to get a photo clicked with him.

Arshdeep Singh will join the team for the ODI series in a few days, after which he has to play the T20 series against New Zealand and then the T20 World Cup. In the video now going viral, Arshdeep is seen touching the feet of the woman who was waiting to get photographed with him.

Arshdeep touched the feet of an elderly fan

In the viral video, when Arshdeep sees an elderly woman standing while leaving, the first thing he does is ‘Sat Shri Akal’. After this Arshdeep touches his feet and takes blessings. He asks about the well-being of the elderly woman and then the fan says that she wants to take a photo with you.

Then Arshdeep Singh stops and comfortably gets photographed with him. This video won the hearts of the fans, seeing which users are praising Arshdeep’s values.

: IG/thecidhant#ArshdeepSingh pic.twitter.com/dsPIEQXYgL

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 4, 2026

Amazing performance in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Arshdeep, while playing for his home team Punjab on January 3, bowled brilliantly against Sikkim. In his first match in the ongoing edition of Vijay Hazare Trophy, he took 5 wickets for 34 runs, for which he received the Player of the Match award.

The next few months are going to be very busy for Arshdeep. He is part of the India vs New Zealand ODI series starting from January 11. After this, he will play a 5-match T20 series against New Zealand, after which the T20 World Cup 2026 will start a week later. After the World Cup, all the players will join their IPL teams. Arshdeep Singh plays for Punjab Kings in IPL.

Fire in Cricketers Car in Dehradun: An unfortunate news is coming out from the cricket world, which has created a stir among the fans. There was chaos on the streets of Dehradun in Uttarakhand when a car carrying Under-23 cricket players suddenly caught fire. In a moment, these warriors of the field were forced to play the biggest innings of their lives. Although the lives of five players in the car were saved after jumping from the car, their car was completely destroyed.

Smoke was seen rising from the rear of the car

This incident happened near Rispana bridge around 5:30 pm. Five young cricketers from Haldwani, Uttarakhand were returning from an under-23 cricket match in Dehradun. As soon as his car stopped at a red light, smoke was seen rising from the rear of the car. A nearby cart driver immediately alerted the car riders.

Car burst into flames within seconds

Understanding the seriousness of the situation, all the players immediately got out of the car. He wasted no time in taking out his cricket equipment bat, gloves, helmet and other equipment. Within seconds the car burst into flames, causing chaos on the road.

As soon as the information was received, police and fire brigade teams reached the spot. The firefighters controlled the fire after a lot of effort, but by then the car was completely burnt. The burnt car was taken out with the help of a crane and sent to the police station.

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Vinesh Phogat U-Turn From Retirement: Indian female wrestler Vinesh Phogat has taken a big decision, she has made a big announcement of withdrawing her decision of retirement. In August this year, Vinesh had announced her entry into politics while staying away from wrestling, but she is ready to enter the field once again. Vinesh Phogat herself gave this information by sharing a post for her fans on her social media. Vinesh is now eyeing the 2028 Olympic Games, which is going to be held in Los Angeles.

Vinesh announced her return from retirement

Vinesh Phogat released a post on Instagram and wrote, ‘People often ask me whether Paris was my last trip? I didn’t have an answer to this question for a long time. For the first time in many years I heaved a sigh of relief. I took some time to understand my workload. The ups and downs of life, the sacrifices, those versions of me that the world has never seen. I still like sports. I still want to compete.

pic.twitter.com/2sQRvFju8m

— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) December 12, 2025

Vinesh further wrote in the post, ‘In the silence I found something which I had forgotten ‘fire never extinguishes’. It was simply buried under tiredness and noise. Discipline, routine, fight… it’s in my system. No matter how far I go, a part of me remains on the mat. So here I am, stepping back into LA28 with a heart that is fearless and a spirit that refuses to bow down. And this time, I am not walking alone, my son is joining my team, my biggest inspiration, will be my little cheerleader on this road to the 2028 Olympics.

The Indian team has a challenge of the West Indies at this time. The first match of the 2 -Test series is being played in Ahmedabad. After this, the Indian team has to go on the Australian tour. It is reported that the Indian squad can be announced for the Australian Tour on Saturday, October 4, in which Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s return is possible. Before this, the India Squad Announcement for Australia Tour, before that, know when and how many matches do Team India have to play in Australia.

Full schedule of Australian Tour

The Indian team’s Australian tour will run till 19 October-8 November. The first 3 -match ODI series will be played, whose matches will be played on October 19, October 23 and October 25. After that five T20 matches are to be played between the two teams.

• October 19 – First ODI (Perth)
• October 23 – Second ODI (Adelaide)
• October 25 – Third ODI (Sydney)
• October 29 – First T20 (Canberra)
• October 31 – Second T20 (Melbourne)
• November 2 – Third T20 (Hobart)
• November 6 – Fourth T20 (Gold Coast)
• 8 November – Fifth T20 (Brisbane)

After winning the Champions Trophy, the Indian team must be playing an ODI series for the first time. Let me tell you that after December 2020, the Indian team will be playing an ODI series in Australia for the first time. It is reported that Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant will not play ODI series due to injury. At the same time, Shubman Gill can be given rest. Sanju Samson is also speculated to be selected in the ODI team. Jasprit Bumrah can also be rested. In such a situation, Yashasvi Jaiswal or Abhishek Sharma can be made the opening partner of Rohit Sharma.

Also read:

Note, when will Australia play and when will Australia play in the series in October? Learn here

In the Asia Cup, India registered a unilateral win over Pakistan by seven wickets. Team India achieved the target of 128 runs given by Pakistan in only 16 overs. In this victory, Abhishek Sharma’s fast innings and Tilak Varma contributed significantly in this victory with the winning shot of captain Suryakumar Yadav. In an important development after the match, the Indian team did not join hands with the players of Pakistan, giving a strong message against terrorism. Captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated this victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian Army. He said, ‘We are standing with the victims of Pahalgam and dedicate this victory to those families.’ With this step, the Indian team gave a clear message on the playground and also outside the field.