Heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, football is on the verge of a historical first — not one, but potentially four outfield players aged 40 or older could feature at the tournament, a feat that has never been achieved before.

Throughout the entire history of the World Cup, only a single outfield player over the age of 40 has ever taken to the pitch at the competition. This summer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, that record looks set to be dramatically rewritten.

The veterans pushing history

Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to perform at the highest level with Al Nassr, remains one of the most discussed names in this conversation. The Portuguese captain will be 41 by the time the tournament kicks off, yet his influence on Portugal's squad remains undeniable.

Luka Modric, the brilliant Croatian midfielder who turned 40 in 2025, is another figure in the mix. The former Real Madrid playmaker has long defied the conventional idea of what a footballer his age can achieve, and he shows no signs of stepping away from the international stage.

Edin Džeko, Bosnia and Herzegovina's all-time leading scorer, is also among those who could make the cut. The veteran striker's longevity at the top level has drawn admiration across the football world.

A shift in the game

The presence of so many elite players competing deep into their forties speaks to a broader transformation in professional football — advances in sports science, nutrition, and recovery have extended careers in ways that were unimaginable a generation ago.

Goalkeepers have historically been the exception to age-related decline at major tournaments, with several custodians performing well past 40. But the prospect of multiple outfield players joining that club at a single World Cup marks a genuine shift in the sport's landscape.

The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 teams and spread across three host nations, will be the largest edition of the tournament ever staged — and it may also be remembered as the one that shattered long-held assumptions about footballing longevity.