“Thirty-five is when you finally get your head together and your body starts falling apart” Caryn Leschen said. Can you still play football being under your thirties? Are you experienced or just old? In every sphere the employer prefers an experienced employee. But is it the same with football managers and their players? Shall the couch choose an experienced player over talented youth? They say after 30, your body has a mind of its own. Let’s meet the oldest FIFA World Cup 2018 players and find out if this saying is true.  

Tim Cahill  

38 years old

Tim Cahill was born on 6 December 1979. Now he’s 38. An Australian professional footballer is currently playing for the Australian national team. Previously he played for Everton, the New York Red Bulls, Shanghai Shenhua and Melbourne City. Cahill plays as an attacking midfielder and is known for his aggressive and powerful approach. But can he still be so aggressive and powerful as he used to?

Essam El-Hadary 

45 years old

Essam El-Hadary was born on 15 January 1973. He’s an Egyptian goalkeeper who plays for and captains Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Professional League and the Egypt national team. And he is regarded as one of the best players in African football history. Now Essam el-Hadary is on his way to become the oldest person to play in a World Cup match. El-Hadary could eclipse the record set by Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon. He was 43 when he played at the World Cup in Brazil.

Iván Márquez Álvarez

39 years old


Rafael Márquez Álvarez was born on 13 February 1979. Now he’s 39. He’s a Mexican footballer, playing for the Mexican club Atlas. Marquez shows a defensive game and rather successful in playing a central defender or defensive midfielder. Being a captain of the national Mexico team he announced that he intends to end his career after the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Blas Pérez

37 years old

Blas Antonio Miguel Pérez Ortega was born on 13 March 1981. Now he’s 37. He’s a Panamanian footballer and plays a forward position for Guatemalan club Municipal and the Panama national team. He debuted in 2001 in the national team so yes he has an unfortunate excess of experience, but how about the speed? 

Sergei Ignashevich

38 years old

Sergei Ignashevich was born on 14 July 1979. He’s 38. Sergei is a Russian footballer who plays as a central defender for CSKA Moscow. Ignashevich didn’t participate for the national team for 2 years, but in May was named in squad for the 2018 World Cup to replace injured Ruslan Kambolov.