Qatar striker Sebastián Soria could become oldest outfield player at a World Cup

Qatar’s veteran striker Sebastian Soria has a chance to become the oldest outfield player to play in a World Cup after the 42-year-old was included in the country’s preliminary squad for the tournament on Tuesday.

Soria, born in Uruguay, was part of a group of 34 players selected by Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui, which must be reduced to a maximum of 26 before the World Cup which begins on June 11.

If Soria plays at the World Cup – where Qatar is in a group with 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 when he played his last World Cup with Cameroon in 1994 in the United States.

The oldest player in World Cup history is Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who was 45 years and 161 days old when he played against Saudi Arabia in 2018.

Scotland’s 43-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon is also expected to feature in this year’s World Cup if he recovers from injury in time.

Soria’s international career seemed to end in 2017 and he was not selected for the 2022 World Cup by the host nation.

He was recalled last October and featured in Qatar’s decisive World Cup qualifying match. Soria came on as a second-half substitute in a 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates in Doha.

“I thank God for allowing me to experience this one,” Soria wrote on his Instagram account after the match, “proud to wear the Al Anabi jersey again and represent this beautiful country.”

Soria joined the Qatari league in 2004 and was a naturalized citizen before making his national team debut in 2007.

Qatar begins its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Switzerland in San Francisco. Qatar then faces Canada in Vancouver and finishes Group B against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.

Associated Press reporting.