Top 5 oldest Players in FIFA World Cup History

Participating in a FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of every football player's career, and making your country's national squad in your 40s is an even greater accomplishment. Every single player in this ranking was in their forties or almost so when they last competed in the FIFA World Cup.

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#5 Peter Shilton (40 years and 292 days) England vs. Italy - 7 July 1990 Despite not earning his World Cup finals debut till he was 32 years old, Peter Shilton definitely compensated for his wasted time.

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#4 Pat Jennings (41 years old) Northern Ireland vs. Brazil - 12 June 1986 Pat Jennings marked his 41st birthday by making history as the oldest player to play in a World Cup finals match while also participating in his farewell FIFA World Cup match.

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#3 Roger Milla (42 years, 39 days) Cameroon vs. Russia - 12 June 1994 Milla completed his Cameroonian career with 77 appearances and 43 goals after making his first appearance in 1973.

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#1 Essam El-Hadary (45 years, 161 days) Egypt vs. Saudi Arabia - June 25th, Essam El-Hadary made 159 outings for his country, earning the AFCON title four times and being voted the tournament's best goalkeeper three times.

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