5 of the oldest players to feature in the FIFA World Cup

Since the inaugural FIFA World Cup in Uruguay, 1930, experienced players from across the world have competed for a spot in the World Cup squad and the competition for places has steadily increased with every tournament.

As the next WC in Russia is just under six months away, players from the 32 countries who have qualified are battling it out in various clubs in the world to stake their claim and make their nation's World Cup squad.

With eleven venues across Russia hosting all the games of the one-month long extravaganza, fans and audiences will be treated to a spectacular display of breathtaking games of football at the highest level.

A number of players have made appearances in the World Cup in the later stages of their careers and have proved to be immense for their teams.

Here we take a look at five of the oldest players who have played in the FIFA World Cup.

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#5 Dino Zoff ( Italy) - 40 years, 4 months, 13 days

Former Italian goalkeeper and captain, Dino Zoff is widely regarded as one of the greatest keepers in the sport's history. The Italian has almost won every trophy there is to win in world football and played for four Italian clubs in his 22-year football career.

He began his career in 1961 with Udinese before moving to Mantova after two seasons and then joined Napoli in 1967. Zoff then joined Juventus in 1972 and claimed numerous honours with the club until he retired in 1983.

Doff was capped 112 times for his national side and remains the oldest ever player to win a World Cup after winning it in 1982 and is the fifth oldest to have played in a WC fixture. Zoff went on to become a manager and guided Italy to a runner-up finish in the 2000 European Championships. He was also a part of the Italian squad that lifted the trophy as a player in 1968.

Zoff's final game in a World Cup happened to be the final against Germany in 1982 as Italy won the game 3-1 and lifted the crown.

#4 Peter Shilton (England) - 40 years, 9 months, 19 days

Peter Shilton during his playing days

Former England goalkeeper and two time European Cup winner, Peter Shilton is the fourth oldest player to make a FIFA World Cup appearance. A strong, tall figure between the sticks, Shilton began his career in 1966 for Leicester City and retired from the highest level of the game following a 26-year career.

Capped 125 times for the Three Lions, Shilton won numerous honours under Brian Clough during his time at Nottingham Forest including his only First Divison title. In addition to that, Shilton enjoyed a glittering career across numerous clubs in England with Southampton, Derby County, Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers to name a few.

Shilton played his last game in the 1990 World Cup aged 40 for England, as they lost 2-1 to Italy in a third-place playoff match.

#3 Pat Jennings (Northern Ireland) - 41 years

Pat Jennings screams instructions to his players

Former Northern Ireland, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper, Pat Jennings is the third oldest player to appear in a FIFA World Cup fixture. It was a game in which Northern Ireland was beaten 3-1 by Brazil at the 1986 Mexico WC.

Jennings began his career in England with Watford in 1963 and spent a season at the club before moving to Spurs. He went on to play over 450 times for the club during a 13-year spell with the North London club. In 1977, Jennings joined rivals and neighbours Arsenal and made over 200 appearances for the Gunners.

Jennings won an FA Cup each with the two North London clubs and was also capped 119 times for Northern Ireland. Jennings is the most capped player for his country and enjoyed a fruitful career that lasted 22 years.

#2 Roger Milla (Cameroon) - 42 years, 1 month, 8 days

Milla at a Golden Foot - Footprints Ceremony

Former Cameroon and Monaco striker, Roger Milla is the second oldest player and the only outfield player in the top five oldest players to feature in a WC. The Cameroonian began his career in the home country before moving to France to further his development and ended up getting 63 caps for his country.

A powerful, tricky forward with a knack for producing some spectacular celebrations, Milla entertained audiences and fans around the world with his dazzling displays.

Milla played his final game for his country in the 1994 USA World Cup, aged 42, against Russia and was thrashed 6-1. Milla enjoyed a successful club career in France with Montpellier, Monaco, Bastia and Saint Etienne.

#1 Faryd Mondragon (Colombia) - 43 years, 3 days

Faryd Mondragon

Former Colombian goalkeeper, Faryd Mondragon became the oldest player ever to make a FIFA World Cup appearance. In 2014, during the Rio World Cup, he played in Colombia's 4-1 win over Japan setting the record aged 43 years.

Mondragon began his career in 1990 and had a good career across North and South America and Europe during his 24-year career. He played in Spain, Germany and Turkey to name a few countries in Europe in addition to playing in Argentina, Colombia and USA.

Mondragon spent a large part of his career in Turkey with Galatasaray and has made 51 appearances for his country between the sticks. The record set by the goalkeeper will be a hard one to beat and there could be a substantial amount of time before its broken.