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Ronaldo Leads Wave of 40-Plus Stars at 2026 World Cup

6/3/2026

Summary

Ronaldo Leads Veteran Squad

2026 World Cup may include eight players aged 40 or older, like Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (born Feb. 5, 1985).
Ronaldo, 41, would be the second-oldest outfield player; Scotland’s Craig Gordon, 43, would rank second overall.
Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera turns 40 on June 16, 2026, a day after the opening match on June 15.
40-plus squad members include Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa, Croatia’s Luka Modric, Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Edin Džeko and Germany’s Manuel Neuer.
Tim Ream’s U.S. call-up makes him the second-oldest player named to a World Cup roster.
If Ream plays Paraguay June 12, he will be 38 years, 250 days old, beating Fernando Clavijo’s 1994 record.

Summary

MLS Sets Record

44 MLS players will compete at the 2026 World Cup, a Western Hemisphere record.
They represent 21 clubs, with LAFC contributing four call-ups, the most from a single club.
Forty-two MLS-developed players include Freeman, Elloumi and Bajraktarevic, the first to rise from MLS NEXT and MLS NEXT Pro to a World Cup roster.
Manchester City will field 19 players, the most, with Bayern Munich (18) and Arsenal/PSG (17 each) trailing.

History

Historical Context

In 1994, 42-year-old Cameroonian forward Roger Milla became the oldest World Cup scorer when he netted against Russia, highlighting the tournament’s growing acceptance of veteran talent. That precedent resonates as the upcoming 2026 World Cup has drawn attention to veteran players, prompting globally clubs and officials to strategically reassess age norms.

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Ronaldo Leads Veteran Squad

2026 World Cup may include eight players aged 40 or older, like Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (born Feb. 5, 1985).
Ronaldo, 41, would be the second-oldest outfield player; Scotland’s Craig Gordon, 43, would rank second overall.
Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera turns 40 on June 16, 2026, a day after the opening match on June 15.
40-plus squad members include Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa, Croatia’s Luka Modric, Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Edin Džeko and Germany’s Manuel Neuer.
Tim Ream’s U.S. call-up makes him the second-oldest player named to a World Cup roster.
If Ream plays Paraguay June 12, he will be 38 years, 250 days old, beating Fernando Clavijo’s 1994 record.

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