Soria Aims for World Cup Milestone Following Qatar Selection at 42

Sebastián Soria has the potential to become the oldest outfield player in World Cup history, as Qatar has included him in its preliminary squad.

Veteran Qatar forward Sebastián Soria has been named in the country’s preliminary squad for the 2026 tournament, positioning him to potentially become the oldest outfield player in World Cup history.

The 42-year-old striker, born in Uruguay, has been named in coach Julen Lopetegui’s provisional list of 34 players, which will be reduced to 26 ahead of the World Cup starting on June 11.

If chosen for the final squad and participating in the tournament, Soria would break Roger Milla’s enduring record as the oldest outfield player to compete in a World Cup. Milla was 42 years old when he represented Cameroon in the 1994 tournament held in the United States.

Essam El Hadary holds the record as the oldest player to participate in the World Cup, having been 45 years and 161 days old when he played for Egypt against Saudi Arabia during the 2018 finals.

Soria’s inclusion signifies an impressive comeback to the international arena following what seemed like the conclusion of his Qatar career in 2017. He was left out of the hosts’ squad for the 2022 World Cup but received a call-up last October, coming on as a second-half substitute in Qatar’s crucial 2-1 qualifying victory against the United Arab Emirates in Doha.

“I am honored to don the Al Anabi jersey once more and to represent this wonderful country,” Soria shared on Instagram after the match.

The striker relocated to Qatar in 2004 to pursue club football, subsequently making his national team debut three years later.

Qatar will begin their World Cup journey against Switzerland in San Francisco on June 13, followed by a match against co-host Canada in Vancouver and Bosnia and Herzegovina later in the group stage.