At the age of 45, Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary will hold the honour of being the oldest player at this year’s World Cup; incidentally, his first ever World Cup and Egypt’s third World Cup. The former FC Sion shot-stopper is still playing actively at Al-Taawoun, for whom he has made 27 appearances this term. He recently came on as a substitute in Egypt’s 0-0 draw with Colombia in a friendly, and should he play during the tournament in Russia, he will become the oldest player ever in the history of the competition, overtaking legendary Columbian Faryd Mondragon who holds this enviable record, playing at the last World Cup aged 43 years.
22 years after making his debut for the national team as a 23-year-old (10 months before Ramadan Sobhi, the youngest member of the Egyptian squad was born), the four-time African Cup of Nations winner will have the opportunity to add to his 157 caps so far.