Craig Gordon is 43 years old. He has made three club appearances this season. And he’s going to the World Cup.
Scotland named the Heart of Midlothian goalkeeper in their 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Born on December 31, 1982, he becomes the oldest player selected for this summer’s tournament, and his inclusion caps one of the more improbable comeback arcs in international football.
A 28-year wait ends with a 43-year-old in goal
Scotland haven’t played at a World Cup since France 1998. That’s 28 years of watching other nations compete on the biggest stage while Scottish fans perfected the art of bitter optimism.
His path to the squad was anything but smooth. An injury-plagued season at Hearts limited him to just three appearances. But Gordon’s contribution came when it mattered most, during the final stages of World Cup qualifying.
