Top 10 oldest Germany players to play at FIFA World Cup ft. Manuel Neuer
(Courtesy : Getty)
The veteran goalkeeper is playing in the mega competition for the fifth time.
For their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Germany national football team are battling against the Curacao national football team at the Houston Stadium.
The four-time world champions have underperformed in their last two campaigns of the flagship tournament. They have faced group stage eliminations in the 2018 and 2022 editions of the World Cup and will be looking to turn the tide in their favour this time around. It is not going to be the easiest tournament for them, but with quality players in the squad, they surely have a chance.
There have been many top players who have played for the Germany national football team at the FIFA World Cup, but there have not been many of them who continued to make an impact over the years. Longevity is something that is not very easy to find in the game of football.
Manuel Neuer has now become the oldest German player to ever play at the FIFA World Cup. He is 40 years and 79 days old and has surpassed the record previously set by Fritz Walter. Neuer has now appeared in five different editions of the flagship tournament.
Also Read: Why are FIFA World Cup 2026 matches always kicking off late?
Oldest Germany players to feature at World Cup history
| S.No | Players | Age | World Cup |
| 1. | Manuel Neuer | 40 years, 79 days | 2026 |
| 2. | Fritz Walter | 37 years, 235 days | 1958 |
| 3. | Lothar Matthäus | 37 years, 104 days | 1998 |
| 4. | Oliver Kahn | 37 years, 22 days | 2006 |
| 5. | Jens Lehmann | 36 years, 236 days | 2006 |
| 6. | Andreas Kopke | 36 years, 114 days | 1998 |
| 7. | Hans-Jorg Butt | 36 years, 43 days | 2010 |
| 8. | Miroslav Klose | 36 years, 34 days | 2014 |
| 9. | Anton Turek | 35 years, 167 days | 1958 |
| 10. | Hans Schafer | 34 years, 234 days | 1962 |
Who is the oldest player for Germany at FIFA World Cup?
At 40 years and 79 days, Manuel Neuer.
Who many times have Germany won FIFA World Cup?
They have lifted the prestigious title on four occasions (1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014).
What are the hosts nations for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Canada, Mexico and the USA.
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Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion. With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.