SouthernWorldwide.com – Veteran Qatar forward Sebastián Soria has the potential to become the oldest outfield player to ever feature in a World Cup. The 42-year-old was recently included in the country’s preliminary squad for the upcoming tournament.
Soria, who was born in Uruguay, is part of a 34-player group selected by Qatar’s coach Julen Lopetegui. This squad will need to be reduced to a maximum of 26 players before the World Cup commences on June 11.
Should Soria take to the field in the World Cup, where Qatar is grouped with co-host Canada, Switzerland, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, he would surpass Roger Milla’s long-standing record. Milla, also 42, held the record for the oldest outfield player in the tournament’s 96-year history after his final World Cup appearance with Cameroon in 1994 in the United States.
The distinction of being the oldest player ever at a World Cup currently belongs to Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary. He was 45 years and 161 days old when he played against Saudi Arabia in 2018.
Another player who might be participating at an advanced age this year is Scotland’s goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who is 43. His inclusion is contingent on his recovery from an injury in time for the tournament.
Soria’s international career appeared to have concluded in 2017, and he was not selected for the 2022 World Cup by the host nation. However, he received another call-up last October.
He played a crucial role in Qatar’s decisive World Cup qualifying match. Soria was introduced as a second-half substitute in a 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in Doha.
“Thankful to God for letting me live this one,” Soria expressed on his Instagram account following the match. “Proud to wear the Al Anabi jersey once again and represent this beautiful country.”
Soria made the move to play in the Qatari league in 2004. He was subsequently naturalized as a citizen before making his debut for the national team in 2007.
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Qatar is scheduled to begin its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Switzerland in San Francisco. Following that, Qatar will face Canada in Vancouver and will conclude its Group B matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.
