FIFA World Cup 2018: Essam El Hadary to be oldest player to play in World Cup

Essam El Hadary made his debut for Egypt's national team in 1996. After playing football for over two decades, he is now 45 and still playing for Egypt. Hadary is expecting to make his world cup debut in Egypt’s last match against Saudi Arabia in Russia. If Egypt’s Coach Hector Cuper plays him against Saudi Arabia, he will be the oldest player to be featured in the World Cup history.

Essam El Hadary made 158 appearances for Egypt, in which he has won four African Cup of Nation trophy and has been named best goalkeeper of the tournament three times. Former Chelsea ace striker Didier Drogba named his as the best opponent he has ever come across.

Hadary's joy saw no boundaries after Egypt’s dramatic World Cup qualification, in which Mohamed Salah Scored the last minute penalty for Egypt and booked Egypt’s place in the world cup. Photographs of Hadary sitting on the crossbar celebrating the World cup qualification said a lot about his emotion of playing in the world cup. After the match, Hadary said it was his father’s wish to see him play in the world cup, and that motivated him to go on. Sadly, his father passed away before witnessing his son make maiden world cup appearance.

Colombia's goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon is the oldest player featured in the world cup till now, he was 43 when he played against Japan in 2014 Brazil World Cup. Hadary will surpass Faryd Mondragon if he plays against Saudi Arabia and will become the oldest player to play in the World Cup.