More milestones beckon: Moukoko youngest player at the World Cup - Ronaldo oldest striker

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“Just to be at a World Cup now, a goal that players dream of their whole career, makes me incredibly proud,” Youssoufa Moukoko wrote on Instagram after being called up for the tournament in Qatar. The 17-year-old had yet to play a game for Germany’s senior squad, but on Wednesday night the time had come. The Borussia Dortmund forward, who is already being courted by Premier League clubs, made his debut in the international match in Oman, becoming Germany’s youngest player since Uwe Seeler in 1954.

His first appearance at the World Cup would already mark the next milestone: Moukoko, who celebrates his 18th birthday on Sunday, would then become the youngest World Cup player in the German national team’s history. Looking at the entire history of the World Cup, the centre-forward would rank in the top ten of the youngest players to appear in the tournament once he takes to the pitch for the first time in Qatar. Seven 17-year-olds have played in World Cups, but only Nigeria’s Femi Opabunmi (2002) and Bartholomew Ogbeche (2002) have done so in the current century.

The teenager also leads another ranking already. None of the 32 participating countries has a younger player than Moukoko in its squad. A total of 18 teenagers have been nominated for the upcoming tournament, three of whom have a market value of €100 million: Germany’s Jamal Musiala, England’s Jude Bellingham, and Spain’s Pedri, and only three World Cup players even surpass that mark.

Talavera oldest player at the World Cup - Prominent names among veterans

Moukoko’s counterpart in terms of age is Mexico’s Alfredo Talavera. At 40, the goalkeeper is the oldest player called up to a World Cup squad. So far, the Juárez FC keeper has made 40 appearances for his home country, most recently against Iraq on November 9. If current number one Guillermo Ochoa was to miss out and Talavera had to step in, he would find himself among the ten oldest players in World Cup history.

In general, goalkeepers unsurprisingly dominate the rankings among the veterans. Twelve of the 23 players aged 37 or older are goalies. Among them is Germany’s Manuel Neuer, who has the highest market value compared to his colleagues at €12m.

Messi to break record? Players with the most games in World Cup history Click here for overview Also among the most experienced outfield players are many prominent names such as Portugal’s Pepe and Brazil’s Dani Alves, who are both 39 years old. Alves’ teammate Thiago Silva, Croatia’s Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo are also included. For the Portugal captain, who is the oldest striker in Qatar, it will be the fifth World Cup, a feat otherwise only achieved by Argentina’s leader Lionel Messi, who has played two more games than his eternal rival to date. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has seven World Cup goals, just ahead of Messi with six.

2022 World Cup: Iran have the oldest, Ghana the youngest squad

In addition to the PSG star, nine other players aged 30 or older are part of the Argentina squad, making head coach Lionel Scaloni’s team the third oldest in the entire tournament. Argentina’s average age of 28.0 is topped only by Mexico (28.5) and Iran (28.9).

2022 World Cup All squads sorted by average age Click here for overview Meanwhile, the youngest team is Ghana, in which Leicester’s Daniel Amartey, at 27, can almost be considered as a veteran, as head coach Otto Addo’s players are only 24.7 years old on average. They are followed by the United States (25.2) and Ecuador and Spain (both 25.6). With teenager Bellingham and 32-year-old veterans Kyle Walker, Jordan Henderson and Kieran Trippier, England rank ninth with an average age of 26.4.