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Veteran Qatar striker Sebastian Soria has the chance to become the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup after the 42-year-old was named in the country’s preliminary squad for the tournament on Tuesday.
Soria, born in Uruguay, was in a group of 34 players selected by Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui that must be reduced to no more than 26 before the World Cup starting June 11.
If Soria plays in the World Cup, where Qatar is in a group with co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Bosnia-Herzegovina, he will break Roger Milla’s record as the oldest outfield player in the tournament’s 96-year history. Milla was also 42 years old when she played her last World Cup with Cameroon in 1994 in the United States.
The oldest player in a World Cup is Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who was 45 years and 161 days old when he played against Saudi Arabia in 2018.
Sebastian Soria of Qatar SC celebrates after scoring a goal during the Ooredoo Qatar Stars League match between Qatar SC and Al-Gharafa SC at Khalifa International Stadium. (Photo by Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, should also be present at this year’s World Cup if he recovers from injury in time.
Soria’s international career appeared to end in 2017 and the host country did not select him for the 2022 World Cup.
He was called up again last October and played in the decisive qualifying match for the World Cup in Qatar. Soria came on as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates in Doha.
“Grateful to God for letting me experience this,” Soria wrote on his Instagram account after the game, “proud to wear the Al Anabi shirt once again and represent this beautiful country.”
Soria went on to play in the Qatari league in 2004 and became a naturalized citizen before making his debut with the national team in 2007.
Qatar begins its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Switzerland in San Francisco. Qatar will then play Canada in Vancouver and finish Group B against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.
Information from The Associated Press.
