Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will become the second-oldest man to play at a World Cup if he makes an appearance in North America next summer.
The 42-year-old, who started the Scots’ last two matches against Greece and Denmark, will be 43 years and five months old by the time the global showpiece kicks off in mid-June.
Here, we take a look at the five oldest men to play at a World Cup.
Oldest World Cup Participants
Essam El Hadary (Egypt)
Essam El Hadary (Egypt) - 45 years, 161 days
The former goalkeeper is the oldest man to play at a World Cup after achieving the feat at Russia 2018. He was not his country’s first choice at that tournament, but was given the chance to make history by starting the third game against Saudi Arabia.
Faryd Mondragon (Colombia)
Faryd Mondragon (Colombia) - 43 years, 3 days
For four years, goalkeeper Mondragon held the accolade after appearing at Brazil 2014 just days after he turned 43. Mondragon, who was in the squad two decades earlier for USA '94, was not the No. 1 but started their final group match against Japan before retiring immediately after the tournament.
Roger Milla (Cameroon)
Roger Milla (Cameroon) - 42 years, 39 days
Having lit up Italia '90 by scoring four goals aged 38, Cameroon forward Milla returned four years later to become, for two decades at least, the oldest player when he featured as a substitute, aged 42, in two of their three group games at USA 94. Milla remains the oldest outfield player and the oldest scorer at the tournament after notching against Russia in 1994.
Pat Jennings (Northern Ireland)
Pat Jennings (Northern Ireland) - 41 years, 0 days
Having previously featured in all four of Northern Ireland’s matches at the 1982 World Cup, former Tottenham and Arsenal goalkeeper Jennings got the chance to have a career swansong at the 1986 renewal in Mexico. Despite having already retired from club football, Jennings started all three of his country’s matches in Mexico, including the last one against Brazil on his 41st birthday, when he became the oldest man to play at a World Cup.
Peter Shilton (England)
Peter Shilton (England) - 40 years, 292 days
Appearing at his third World Cup, goalkeeper Shilton – representing Derby at the time – was England’s number one at Italia '90 as they made it to the semi-finals just a few months shy of his 41st birthday. He remains England’s most-capped player of all time.
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