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Palangka Raya Deputy Mayor Achmad Zaini is eagerly awaiting the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the standout figures in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where several legendary players will compete in their respective age categories.

The veteran captain of Portugal is preparing for what will be his sixth World Cup appearance in his illustrious career.

When the tournament begins, Cristiano Ronaldo will be 41 years and 126 days old. However, that won’t be enough to make him the oldest player registered for the 2026 World Cup squad.

The Real Madrid legend ranks second behind Scotland’s veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who is 43 years old. Ronaldo therefore holds the distinction of being the oldest outfield player in the tournament.

That achievement alone is impressive, given that CR7 continues to operate in a position demanding both mobility and exceptional goal-scoring instincts. Below him are five other seasoned players who have reached the age of forty: Guillermo Ochoa, Luka Modric, Edin Dzeko, Manuel Neuer, and Vozinha, with only months separating their ages. Among them, only Modric and Dzeko are not goalkeepers.

The “forty club” will soon welcome another member during the tournament, as Uruguay’s goalkeeper Fernando Muslera turns 40 on June 16.

On the opposite end of the age spectrum, Spain’s Lamine Yamal leads a group of young talents ready to challenge football’s established stars at the 2026 World Cup. The 18-year-old winger will celebrate his 19th birthday on July 13, just a day before the first semi-final match.

The age gap between Yamal and Ronaldo is so wide that Yamal is closer in age to Ronaldo’s son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., who is only three years younger. Yet, like Ronaldo, Yamal isn’t the record-holder in his age category.

The title of the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup belongs to Mexico’s midfielder Gilberto Mora. Born on 14 October 2008, the 17-year-old prodigy already boasts seven senior caps and over 50 club appearances for Tijuana across two seasons, proving his experience is well beyond his years.

Germany’s wonderkid Lennart Karl, who has made waves with Bayern Munich, ranks third among the youngest players. At 18, he’s just four months older than the runner-up, Hugo Sochurek from the Czech Republic. Interestingly, Lamine Yamal doesn’t even make the top ten youngest players list.

Looking further back, the record for the oldest World Cup player in history still belongs to Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, who played at 45 years old in 2018, surpassing Faryd Mondragon’s previous record of 43. Meanwhile, the youngest-ever World Cup player remains Manchester United legend Norman Whiteside, who represented Northern Ireland at age 17 years and 41 days during the 1982 World Cup—a record Mora cannot break.

Five Oldest Players at the 2026 World Cup

Craig Gordon (Scotland): 43 years (31/12/1982)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 41 years (5/2/1985)
Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico): 40 years (13/7/1985)
Luka Modric (Croatia): 40 years (9/9/1985)
Edin Dzeko (Bosnia): 40 years (17/3/1986)

Five Youngest Players

Gilberto Mora (Mexico): 17 years (14/10/2008)
Hugo Sochurek (Czech Republic): 17 years (7/6/2008)
Lennart Karl (Germany): 18 years (22/2/2008)
Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal): 18 years (24/1/2008)
Hamza Abdelkarim (Egypt): 18 years (1/1/2008)

Portugal, known as the Selecao das Quinas, will continue to rely heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo’s lethal finishing despite his age. Alongside him, Joao Felix—his teammate at Al Nassr—will be crucial in leading the attack. Several other names will also be key to Portugal’s success against tough opponents.

Group K Fixtures

Portugal’s opening match against DR Congo is expected to be a comfortable win, but their real test will come against Colombia. Returning after missing the 2022 edition, the South American side could pose a serious challenge to Portugal’s ambition to top the group.

Portugal’s 2026 World Cup Schedule:
June 17, 2026: Portugal vs DR Congo – NRG Stadium, Houston
June 23, 2026: Portugal vs Uzbekistan – NRG Stadium, Houston
June 27, 2026: Colombia vs Portugal – Hard Rock Stadium

Key Players: Stars to Watch in Portugal’s Campaign

Cristiano Ronaldo
At 41, Ronaldo enters the World Cup with 143 international goals and an unrelenting desire to finally lift the trophy. His leadership and experience remain invaluable, and he continues to be a major threat in front of goal, having scored 16 times in the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League season. His two decisive goals in the title-clinching match against Damac proved he still delivers when it matters most.

However, concerns about his age and the lower competitiveness of the Saudi Pro League compared to Europe’s top five leagues persist. While his scoring record is impressive, the opposition he faces weekly might not fully prepare him for World Cup knockout intensity.

Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes arrives in superb form, with 12 goals and 24 assists across all competitions in 2025–26. His hat-trick against Armenia secured Portugal’s qualification and earned him a perfect 10 rating from WhoScored. As Manchester United’s captain, his leadership and creativity make him Portugal’s most influential player after Ronaldo.

He has faced criticism for inconsistency at club level and for over-controlling the ball in key moments, which can slow Portugal’s attack. His defensive work rate has also been questioned, an area that counter-attacking teams might exploit.

Bernardo Silva
The Manchester City midfielder has recorded 717 career appearances, 118 goals, and 125 assists. Renowned for his ball control and versatility, Silva remains indispensable. During the 2025–26 season, he contributed 4 goals and 6 assists across competitions. However, his limited defensive contribution and age of 31 could challenge his stamina in the three-week-long tournament.

Vitinha
The PSG midfielder orchestrates Portugal’s midfield tempo, tallying 7 goals and 7 assists in 60 appearances during 2024–25. His passing accuracy and vision are vital to Roberto Martínez’s possession system. In the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League, he added another 6 goals and 1 assist. Nonetheless, his lack of physical strength and occasional defensive lapses could expose Portugal to high-pressing teams.

Joao Neves
The 21-year-old PSG talent represents Portugal’s future, with 10 goals and 4 assists in 38 matches during 2025–26. His partnership with Vitinha at PSG has been outstanding, and he earned a perfect 10 rating alongside Fernandes against Armenia. In the Champions League, he maintained a passing accuracy of 91.5 percent. Despite his success, his place in the starting lineup remains uncertain due to competition from Rúben Neves and Samu Costa, coupled with his inexperience in major tournaments.

Palangka Raya Deputy Mayor Achmad Zaini expressed his excitement for the upcoming World Cup, emphasizing how this global football event unites people worldwide to witness top-tier matches featuring the best players.

“We should be happy. God willing, this year we can again follow the World Cup matches. It’s an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the games. I’m also a football fan myself,” Zaini said after attending a joint ceremony commemorating the Birth of Pancasila at Palangka Raya City Hall on Monday, June 1, 2026.

He hopes the excitement of the 2026 World Cup will also reach the people of Palangka Raya, possibly through public viewing events that bring communities together to enjoy the matches. “Hopefully, we can watch together. I’ll suggest to the Mayor that we organize public viewing sessions,” he added.

Zaini admitted that his favorite players remain the senior icons who have long dominated global football—Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. “Yes, my favorites are still the veterans—Messi and Ronaldo,” he said with a smile.

However, he also hopes the 2026 World Cup will not only showcase established stars but also introduce new talents capable of shining on the global stage. He believes one of the most exciting aspects of the World Cup is discovering young players who impress and later evolve into world-class stars.

“There will be many great players. Hopefully, this World Cup will bring forth new world-class talents. Usually, it’s during the World Cup that we see the emergence of future superstars,” he remarked.

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of regeneration in football, ensuring the sport continues to offer captivating performances for fans worldwide. “It’s time for the new generation to step up and carry the torch from the current greats,” he added.

Portugal 2026 World Cup Squad:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi Ankara)

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahçe SK), João Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Tomás Araújo (SL Benfica)

Midfielders: Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa (Mallorca), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Forwards: Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

Manager: Roberto Martínez