Ronaldo set to join World Cup oldest players list

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America approaches, football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is set to cement his place among the oldest players ever to feature in the tournament.

At 41, the Portugal captain will make his sixth and reportedly final World Cup appearance, continuing a career defined by longevity and remarkable consistency.

Ronaldo, who turned 41 on 5 February 2026, currently plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and has vowed to lead his nation one last time on football’s grandest stage.

Here’s a look at some of the world’s oldest World Cup participants:

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Forward) — 41 years (2026)
Essam El Hadary (Egypt, Goalkeeper) — 45 years (2018 vs Saudi Arabia)
Faryd Mondragón (Colombia, Goalkeeper) — 43 years (2014 vs Japan)
Roger Milla (Cameroon, Forward) — 42 years (1994 vs Russia)
Pat Jennings (Northern Ireland, Goalkeeper) — 41 years (1986 vs Brazil)
Peter Shilton (England, Goalkeeper) — 40 years (1990 vs Italy)
Dino Zoff (Italy, Goalkeeper) — 40 years (1982 vs West Germany, final)
Ali Boumnijel (Tunisia, Goalkeeper) — 40 years (2006 vs Ukraine)
Jim Leighton (Scotland, Goalkeeper) — 39 years (1998 vs Morocco)

Ronaldo’s presence in the 2026 World Cup will not only showcase his enduring talent but also place him in a select group of players whose careers have spanned decades and multiple tournaments, highlighting his exceptional longevity in world football.