Last updated: 25 June 2026
The oldest goalscorer in World Cup history: Roger Milla
Roger Milla of Cameroon is the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, having scored at 42 years and 39 days in 1994. Here are the key facts about his record:
- Age: 42 years, 39 days when he scored against Russia
- Match: Cameroon 1-6 Russia, group stage, 28 June 1994
- Career World Cup goals: five in total — four at Italy 1990, one at USA 1994
- Recognition: honoured by FIFA as one of the tournament’s enduring record holders
Roger Milla scored for Cameroon against Russia on 28 June 1994 at the age of 42 years and 39 days. No older player has scored at a men’s World Cup before or since.
It was a consolation goal in a 6-1 defeat, but the milestone outlasted the result. Until Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Portugal at 41 in 2026, Milla was the only player over 40 to have scored at a World Cup.
What makes the record remarkable is that Milla had already retired from international football once. He returned for the 1990 World Cup and, coming off the bench, scored four goals to carry Cameroon to the quarter-finals in Italy.
Those goals made him the oldest World Cup scorer at the time, aged 38 years and 34 days. He then extended his own record by another four years in 1994.
The 10 oldest goalscorers in World Cup history
Milla leads a list where four of the top 10 entries now come from the 2022 and 2026 tournaments, according to Opta.
| Player (country) | Age when scored | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Milla (Cameroon) | 42 years, 39 days | vs Russia, 1994 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) | 41 years, 138 days | vs Uzbekistan, 2026 |
| Pepe (Portugal) | 39 years, 283 days | vs Switzerland, 2022 |
| Lionel Messi (Argentina) | 38 years, 363 days | vs Austria, 2026 |
| Gunnar Gren (Sweden) | 37 years, 236 days | vs West Germany, 1958 |
| Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Mexico) | 37 years, 151 days | vs France, 2010 |
| Felipe Baloy (Panama) | 37 years, 120 days | vs England, 2018 |
| Marko Arnautović (Austria) | 37 years, 59 days | vs Jordan, 2026 |
| Obdulio Varela (Uruguay) | 36 years, 279 days | vs England, 1954 |
| MartÃn Palermo (Argentina) | 36 years, 227 days | vs Greece, 2010 |
Following World Cup 2026 across North America
If these records have you wanting to see a match in person, the 2026 World Cup is spread across 16 host cities in three countries.
The biggest hubs sit in the United States. Search flights to New York, where the final is played, or compare arrivals into Los Angeles, Dallas and Miami.
Mexico and Canada host the rest. Check routes into Mexico City, Toronto and Vancouver.
For somewhere to stay during the tournament, browse hotels in New York, hotels in Miami and hotels in Mexico City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history?
Roger Milla of Cameroon, who scored against Russia in 1994 aged 42 years and 39 days. The record has stood for more than 30 years.
Is Roger Milla’s record likely to be broken in 2026?
No. The closest active challenger, Cristiano Ronaldo, is 41, so Milla’s mark of 42 years and 39 days cannot be passed this tournament.
Who is the second-oldest World Cup goalscorer?
Cristiano Ronaldo, after scoring twice for Portugal against Uzbekistan in 2026 at 41 years and 138 days. He is also the first player to score at six different World Cups.
Who is the youngest World Cup goalscorer?
Pelé of Brazil, who scored against Wales at the 1958 World Cup aged 17 years and 239 days. He went on to win the tournament that year.
Sources
- FIFA — Evergreen Milla Makes His Mark (World Cup Records)
- FIFA — Milla Augments His Own Milestone (1994)
- FIFA — Cameroon Legend Roger Milla Turns 70
- Opta Analyst — The Oldest Players to Score at a World Cup
- ESPN — Who Are the Oldest and Youngest Men to Score at the World Cup?
- Al Jazeera — Ronaldo Scores Twice as Portugal Thrash Uzbekistan 5-0 at World Cup 2026
- Al Jazeera — Lionel Messi Scores Brace as Argentina Beat Austria 2-0 at World Cup 2026
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