Who is the youngest, oldest, smallest, tallest player in the World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup will bring together 48 national teams for the first time in history, and as it happens in every edition of the tournament, the numbers help reveal stories that go far beyond the results on the pitch.

Between young prospects, who were not even born when some of their opponents were already playing professionally, and the veterans, who are approaching the twilight of their careers, this year’s World Cup will be marked by generational contrasts, different stages of team development, and the growing influence of clubs and leagues that concentrate the world’s top talent.

Who is the oldest player?

When Scotland take the field at the World Cup, they will carry one of the tournament’s most curious stories. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be the oldest player at the competition, at age 43.

An opponent of the Brazilian national football team in the third round of the group stage, he finds himself in a unique moment of his career.

First called up to the Scottish national team in 2004, Gordon has accumulated 86 appearances for his country and, remarkably, will play in his first World Cup at the very end of his professional journey. The veteran played an important role in the campaign that ended Scotland’s 28-year absence from the world's most prestigious international tournament.

The season, however, was marked by physical difficulties. While a shoulder injury limited his appearances for Scottish Premiership outfit Heart of Midlothian to just three matches, Gordon remained highly valued by the national team coaching staff.

Who is the youngest player?

If Craig Gordon represents longevity, Mexican youngster Gilberto Mora embodies the future. At just 17 years and 240 days old, the attacking midfielder will be the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup.

Born into a generation fully connected to social media, Mora arrives at the tournament surrounded by expectations and regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Latin American football.

Called up by one of the tournament’s host nations, he has drawn attention for his combination of pace, personality, and tactical intelligence.

His rise has been meteoric. Developed by Club Tijuana, he made his professional debut during the 2024 Apertura when he was only 15 years, 10 months, and four days old. On that occasion, he directly contributed to a goal by providing an assist. Shortly afterward, he also became the youngest player ever to score in the Mexican league.

His rapid development extended beyond domestic football. After excelling at youth level, Mora quickly reached the senior national team and was part of Mexico’s victorious squad at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

During the campaign, he became both the youngest player to appear in an official match for Mexico and the youngest to win a title with the national team.

Which is the oldest and youngest squad at the World Cup?

The World Cup’s age contrasts are also evident in squad composition. Among the 48 participating nations, none arrive with a more experienced group than the Panama national football team.

According to research by The Athletic, Panama has the oldest squad in the tournament, with an average of 30 years. This statistic becomes even more remarkable because none of the selected players are younger than 24.

Panama head into the World Cup off the back of suffering a 6-2 defeat to Brazil in a friendly at the Maracana, but they will be relying on collective experience to make their mark in a difficult group that includes England, Croatia and Ghana.

At the other side of the coin is the Ivory Coast national football team. The Elephants arrive at the World Cup with the youngest squad among all qualified nations, with an average of 25.4 years.

Ivory Coast’s presence at the tournament marks the country's return to football’s biggest stage after an absence stretching back to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Drawn into Group E that also includes Germany, Ecuador and Curacao national football team, the West African side symbolizes a project centered on renewal and talent development.

Which club will have the most players at the World Cup?

If there is one club that symbolizes the elite of modern football, it is Manchester City.

Unsurprisingly, the English outfit will supply more players to the 2026 World Cup than any other side at club level.

A total of 19 City’s players have been called up by their respective national teams. These representatives will be spread across different continents, representing countries such as England, Portugal, Croatia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, Egypt, Norway, Ghana, Algeria, and Uzbekistan.

The figure is a direct reflection of the transformation the club has undergone over the past decade and proof of their success as a team.

The arrival of Pep Guardiola elevated the team’s sporting level and created an environment capable of attracting some of the best players on the planet.

Even with Guardiola’s departure, his legacy remains evident, and the number of international call-ups highlights how the Citiyzens are one of the leading hubs for football talent worldwide.

Which league contributes the most players?

A total of 154 Premier League players will participate in the 2026 World Cup.

Among all domestic competitions around the globe, the Premier League comfortably leads the way when it comes to the number of players present at the World Cup.

England’s top division will provide 154 players to the tournament, a figure that places it well ahead of its competitors. The Bundesliga ranks second but with a total of 94 players.

These figures reflect the financial power of the Premier League, widely regarded as the richest football league in the world.

With multi-billion-dollar revenues, packed stadiums, enormous international reach, and the financial strength to recruit stars from virtually any market, the English top flight has established itself as the premier destination for elite footballers.

More than just a statistic, the Premier League’s clear lead highlights a trend that has strengthened over recent years. The league has evolved into a true gravitational center of world football, bringing together players of many nationalities and serving as the showcase for numerous stars who will take center stage during the World Cup.