The 48 team FIFA World Cup has completed its first week, and the age gap on the pitch has been impossible to miss. Veterans in their late 30s and 40s are still starting and starring, while teenagers are coming off the bench and scoring on the biggest stage.
Among the oldest names in the mix:
- Cristiano Ronaldo, 41: FIFA said Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match in Portugal's 1-1 draw with Congo on Wednesday.
- Luka Modric, 40: The Croatia midfield great led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final but got off to a rough start against England on Wednesday, when his foul led to Harry Kane's penalty goal in a 4-2 loss.
- Manuel Neuer, 40: The Germany goalkeeper is among several 40 year old keepers on World Cup rosters.
- Vozinha, 40: Cape Verde's goalkeeper has become a star at this World Cup and played a big role in holding Spain to a 0-0 draw. His mom hopes to be at their next match, Sunday against Uruguay in Miami.
- Lionel Messi, 38: Messi turns 39 next week and opened Argentina's campaign with a hat trick against Algeria.
On the other end of the spectrum, a wave of teenagers has already left a mark:
- Gilberto Mora, 17: The Tijuana midfielder is the youngest player on any World Cup roster. He came on as a substitute in the second half of Mexico's 2-0 win over South Africa. Mexico faces South Korea on Thursday in Guadalajara.
- Ibrahim Mbaye, 18: The Senegal forward entered in the 75th minute of his World Cup debut against France and scored in stoppage time of a 3-1 loss to Kylian Mbappé and France. Senegal plays Norway on Monday.
- Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18: The Morocco midfielder stood out in a 1-1 draw with Brazil. He represented France at youth level before switching to Morocco in time for the World Cup.
- Hamza Abdelkarim, 18: The Egypt forward came on as a substitute in the 76th minute of a 1-1 draw with Belgium, replacing Mohamed Salah.
- Lamine Yamal: Spain's forward turns 19 next month. He recently returned from a hamstring injury and was pressed into action as a substitute in Spain's draw with Cape Verde.
World Cup Fanfest at Boston's City Hall Plaza closed Thursday due to rain. Thursday's World Cup matches will have messaging denouncing hate speech.
With the expanded 48 team format now entering its second week, both ends of the age spectrum will keep shaping results as group play continues.
