Scotland v Belarus 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifier 12/10/2025. Group C Andy Robertson 3 - Scotland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park, Glasgow, United Kingdom on 12 October 2025. Editorial use only , Copyright: xRaymondxDaviesx PSI-23024-0049
At 43 years old, Craig Gordon has arrived in the United States as the oldest player at the 2026 World Cup, carrying an extraordinary personal story with him.
The Hearts goalkeeper has an eight-week-old child at home, alongside two other sons, making his journey to this tournament all the more remarkable.
Gordon admits that sleepless nights and nappy changes have been temporarily left behind as Scotland prepare for their Group C opener against Haiti.
Speaking at Scotland’s base-camp in Charlotte, North Carolina, the legendary keeper reflected openly on the surreal nature of his situation at this stage of life.
“My son is just over eight weeks old now, so that is definitely going to keep me young for a few more years yet,” Gordon said with characteristic wit.
“There are still a few sleepless nights and a few nappies to change, so no matter what happens after the World Cup, I’ll be staying young and I still have plenty to do.”
Gordon has spent 25 years at the top level of professional football, and by simply being part of Steve Clarke’s squad, he has already written himself into the history books.
If he takes to the field against Haiti, he will become the second-oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup, behind only Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary.
He faces genuine competition from Angus Gunn for the starting jersey, with Gunn handed the number one squad number ahead of the tournament.
Gordon is unapologetic about his hunger for the starting spot, insisting every goalkeeper in the squad must carry the mindset that they are the number one.
“I would like to think the other guys in the squad think the same, but you have to have that mindset to prepare properly, as if you are going to play and be number one,” he said.
Beyond the football, Gordon has spoken passionately about the broader message his presence at this tournament sends to people of all ages and backgrounds.
“I hope I’m showing older guys and older people that age is just a number,” he said, with clear conviction behind every word.
“If you put your mind to it, your body can still do amazing things, and I want to be that inspiration for people to know that as you get older you can still perform to a very high level.”
He acknowledged that ageing brings its own physical challenges, particularly for a goalkeeper who throws himself to the ground repeatedly in training every single day.
“Obviously as you get older, things get more difficult, but it’s about finding ways to get round that and finding a balance to make sure that when I’m called upon I’m ready to go,” he explained.
Gordon conceded that even if he does not feature in a single match, this World Cup appearance already represents a personal triumph that once looked unthinkable.
“It’s a bit of a triumph that I’ve even managed to make it here, and perhaps when I look back, that will be the overriding emotion,” he admitted candidly.
“To be the oldest man at the tournament is something to be proud of, regardless of position, but at the moment the full focus is on being the best I can be.”
For Clarke, the goalkeeping decision ahead of the Haiti match remains a genuinely difficult 50/50 call between experience and a more modern style of play.
Gordon, however, keeps his eyes firmly on the prize, driven by a childhood dream that has somehow survived an entire career and now burns brighter than ever.
“Playing at a World Cup is what every young kid wants, and to be able to say I’ve done it would definitely be something I’d carry with me for the rest of my life,” he said.
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