LONDON, June 6, 2018 (News Wires) - The oldest player at this year's World Cup will be 45-year-old Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary. And, should he play, he will become the oldest player to ever appear in the competition's coveted history. El-Hadary made his first-team debut all the way back in 1993 as a fresh-faced 20-year-old while playing for Damietta in his native Egypt. He went on to join Al-Ahly where he won eight titles and four CAF Champions Leagues. El-Hadary earned the first of his 157 caps in 1996 - 10 months before his youngest teammate in Russia, Stoke's Ramadan Sobhi, was born. The former FC Sion shot-stopper is still going strong in 2018 - playing for Al-Taawoun of Saudi Arabia, for whom he made 27 appearances this term. El-Hadary had a brief flirtation with English football, undergoing a trial at Hull City, but never signed terms with the Tigers. But he will be usurped by El-Hadary should he keep goal for Egypt in Russia. El-Hadary came on as a substitute in Egypt's most recent friendly, a 0-0 draw with Colombia on June 1. He is joined by Egypt talisman Mo Salah in the Pharaohs' squad for the 2018 tournament.
