Ronaldo, Messi and a 40-year-old keeper headline World Cup's age extremes after week one

The first week of the 2026 World Cup has thrown up a striking range of ages at the top of the game, with 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo setting records at one end and a 17-year-old Mexican debutant turning heads at the other.

The Veterans

Ronaldo, who FIFA confirmed is now the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match, was unable to find the net in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Congo on Wednesday. The milestone arrived without the goal he would have wanted, but his presence alone underlines the tournament’s extraordinary spread of experience.

Luka Modric, 40, had a more difficult evening. The Croatian midfield great, who guided his country to the 2018 final, was at the centre of a pivotal moment against England on Wednesday when his foul gifted Harry Kane a penalty. Modric was substituted before the hour mark as Croatia fell 4-2.

In goal, Cape Verde’s Vozinha — also 40 — has been the surprise story of the opening week. The unheralded goalkeeper was central to holding Spain to a 0-0 draw, earning widespread praise and a place in the tournament’s early headlines. Cape Verde face Uruguay in Miami on Sunday.

Lionel Messi, a comparatively youthful 38 and turning 39 next week, showed few signs of slowing down. The Argentina captain scored a hat-trick against Algeria in his side’s opener.

The Teenagers

At the other end of the spectrum, Mexico’s Gilberto Mora became an instant crowd favourite when he came off the bench in El Tri’s 2-0 win over South Africa. The 17-year-old, the youngest player on any World Cup roster, plays for Tijuana in Liga MX and is reportedly being monitored by several leading European clubs. Mexico face South Korea on Thursday in Guadalajara.

Senegal forward Ibrahim Mbaye made an immediate mark on his World Cup debut. The 18-year-old, French-born, entered against France in the 75th minute and scored in stoppage time of a 3-1 defeat. Senegal play Norway on Monday.

Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, also 18, caught the eye in his side’s 1-1 draw with Brazil. Bouaddi previously represented France at youth level before switching allegiance to Morocco ahead of the tournament.

Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim, 18, came on as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Belgium, replacing Mohamed Salah in the 76th minute.

Spain’s Lamine Yamal, who turns 19 next month, only recently returned from a hamstring injury and was used from the bench in the draw with Cape Verde — a reminder that even the tournament’s most celebrated young talent is still finding his way back to full fitness as the competition intensifies.