The youngest wonderkids and oldest veterans at the FIFA World Cup

From teenage sensations to international stalwarts, RNZ looks at the youngest and oldest footballers competing at the Qatar World Cup.

In the history books, Northern Ireland striker Norman Whiteside holds the for record the youngest player to play at a FIFA World Cup - appearing at Spain 1982 at just 17-years-and-40-days-old.

Among Whiteside in the youngest player record books are legends such as Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o and Brazil's Pele. Now, a young German has claimed his spot as the eighth youngest FIFA World Cup player of all time.

Youssoufa Moukoko, 17

We start off our list with the youngest player in this year's tournament, German forward Youssoufa Moukoko - who only turned 18 the day before the World Cup kicked off.

Moukoko has exploded through the youth system at Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga, becoming the youngest player to play in the UEFA Champion's League at the age of just 16 last year.

The young footballer was called into the Germany squad earlier this month after an injury to Timo Werner and made his World Cup debut in the final minutes of a 2-1 defeat to Japan.

Gavi, 18

Next up, there's Barcelona starlet Gavi, who at the tender age of 18-years-old is starring for Spain in his second major international tournament in just two years.

After truly cracking into Barcelona's starting lineup over the last two seasons, Gavi (full name Pablo Martín Páez Gavira) made his mark on the international scene at last year's European Championship with Spain.

The skillful midfielder was recently announced as the recipient of the 2022 Golden Boy Award, which is awarded by sports journalists to the most impressive young player in the world.

Garang Koul, 18

Sudanese Socceroo Garang Koul has experienced a meteoric career trajectory, from playing in Victoria's second division at 16 to signing a professional contract with the Central Coast Mariners at 17.

Now, Koul has made his first World Cup appearance for Australia at just 18-years-old, coming on against France in the Socceroo's 4-1 defeat to the defending champions.

Averaging a goal or assist in every game in the A-League performance, Koul has already lined up an exciting move to Premier League high-flyers Newcastle United in January, where he will link up with All Whites star Chris Wood.

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Aside from the three players above there are four other 18-year-olds competing at the World Cup to keep an eye on: Belgium's Zeno Debast, Costa Rica's Jewison Bennette, Ghana's Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Morocco's Bilel El Khanouss.

Jude Bellingham, 19

England's midfield sensation Jude Bellingham has shown maturity beyond his years throughout his short but illustrious career. Opting to make a £25 million move from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund at just 17-years-old.

Scoring England's opening goal of the World Cup against Iran, Bellingham has already shown he is comfortable on the world's biggest stage.

Touted for a big money move to one of many European giants at club level, there will be countless eyes on the 19-year-old's performances for England as they progress into the knockout stages.

The oldest

Currently holding the record for the oldest player at a World Cup is Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary who at the age of 45-years-and-161-days-old appeared in his country's final game of the 2018 World Cup against Saudi Arabia.

The oldest player featuring at this year's World Cup is Mexican goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera who plies his trade at FC Juarez in Liga MX.

This tournament represents his third World Cup appearance, having joined Mexico's squad in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups in Brazil and Russia.

Despite not playing a minute with Mexico number one Guillermo Ochoa the preferred option, Talavera would have provided his side with invaluable experience as they made an ill-fated push for Round of 16 qualification.

Dani Alves, 39

One of the most successful players of all time, Dani Alves, has defied the odds to appear in his third World Cup at the age of 39.

The legendary fullback has won almost every international and club level trophy available including the Copa América, Confederations Cup, Olympic Gold, three Champions Leagues, the FIFA Club World Cup and the league title in every country he has played in.

However, the only trophy that evades him is the FIFA World Cup and with Brazil lacking depth in the fullback position the 39-year-old could play a much greater role in the Selecao's team than previously expected.

Pepe, 39

Renowned as one of the toughest, no-nonsense centre-backs of the modern generation, Portugal's 39-year-old Pepe has slide tackled his way into his fourth World Cup in Qatar.

Currently captaining Portugese giants FC Porto, Pepe has extended his glittering career well into his late-thirties following an incredible decade-long spell at Real Madrid.

In Doha, Pepe has already formed a solid partnership at the back alongside Manchester City's Ruben Dias which has helped Portugal secure a spot in the Round of 16 with a game to spare.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 37

Arguably one of the greatest footballers ever, Cristiano Ronaldo is competing in his fifth and what he says is likely to be his final World Cup.

With the backdrop of his recent bombshell interview with Piers Morgan and widespread criticism of his performances on the field, Ronaldo has something to prove in Qatar - that he is still capable of making an impact in a team stacked with exciting young attackers such as João Félix, Rafael Leão and Gonçalo Ramos.

The 37-year-old striker is the highest goalscorer in international football history and after scoring against Ghana he only needs one more goal in Doha to overtake 1960's legend Eusébio as Portugal's highest goalscorer in World Cup history.

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Honourable mentions:

Canada's Atiba Hutchinson(39) , Japan's Eiji Kawashima (39) , Brazil's Thiago Silva (38) and Luka Modric (37).