Ghana with lowest ⌀ age
“Just being able to be in a World Cup now, a goal that players dream of all their careers, makes me incredibly proud,” Youssoufa Moukoko wrote on Instagram after his nomination for the finals in Qatar. At that time, the 17-year-old had not yet played a game for the German A-Elf, but on Wednesday evening the time had come: the Borussia Dortmund striker made his international debut in Oman, making him Germany’s youngest novice since Uwe Seeler in 1954.
With his first appearance at the World Cup, the next milestone has already been set: Moukoko, who celebrates his 18th birthday on Sunday, would then be the youngest World Cup participant in DFB history. If you look at the entire history of the World Cup, the center forward would be in the top ten of the youngest players as soon as he made his debut in Qatar. Seven 17-year-olds have already competed in world championships, but only the two Nigerians Femi Opabunmi (2002) and Bartholomew Ogbeche (2002) managed to do so this year.
The teenager is already leading another ranking: none of the 32 participating countries has a younger footballer than Moukoko in their ranks. A total of 18 U20 players were nominated for the upcoming tournament, three of whom have a market value of 100 million euros: Jamal Musiala (19), England’s Jude Bellingham (19) and Spain’s Pedri (19) – only three World Cup participants surpass this mark .
With Moukoko, Scally & Co.: The youngest participants in the 2022 World Cup
Mexico’s goalkeeper Talavera is the oldest World Cup participant – Big names among the veterans
Moukoko’s age counterpart is Mexico’s Alfredo Talavera. At 40, the goalkeeper is the oldest nominee. The FC Juárez keeper has made 40 appearances for his home country, most recently against Iraq on 9 November. If regular backing Guillermo Ochoa (37) fails and Talavera has to step in, he would find himself among the ten oldest players in World Cup history.
In general, the goalkeepers unsurprisingly form a strong block with the veterans. Twelve of the 23 players over 36 are goalkeepers. Among them was Manuel Neuer (36), who at 12 million euros had the highest valuation compared to his colleagues.
23 players over 36: the oldest participants in the 2022 World Cup
Even the most experienced outfield players are full of big names such as Portugal’s Pepe, Brazil’s Dani Alves, both 39, and Alves team-mate Thiago Silva (38), Croatia’s Luka Modric (37) and Cristiano Ronaldo (37). included. For the Portuguese captain, who is the oldest striker in Qatar, it is his fifth World Cup appearance, otherwise only Argentina’s leader Lionel Messi (35) can do that, who has played two more games than his eternal rival to date. In terms of World Cup goals, however, Ronaldo is just ahead of Messi with six (to the statistics) with seven goals.
Iran sends the oldest, Addos Ghana the youngest World Cup squad
In addition to the PSG professional, there are nine other players aged 30 or older in the “Albiceleste” squad, making coach Lionel Scaloni’s team the third oldest in the entire tournament. Argentina’s median age of 28.0 is surpassed only by Mexico (28.5) and Iran (28.9).
At a glance
All World Cup participants and their average agesThis way!
Meanwhile, the youngest team is Ghana, in which Freiburg’s Daniel-Kofi Kyereh can almost be described as a veteran at 26, because Otto Addo’s men are on average 24.7 years old. They are followed by the United States (25.2), Ecuador and Germany’s group opponents Spain (both 25.6). Despite the teenager Moukoko, the DFB selection does not rank among the top places and is classified twelfth (26.7).
The first betting match day kicks off with the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday, November 20 (5 p.m.). Click here for the TM betting round!
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