Egypt's Essam El-Hadary to become World Cup's oldest-ever player

8:34 AM ET

Essam El-Hadary will become the oldest ever player in World Cup history after being named to start in goal for Egypt against Saudi Arabia.

El Hadary, who is 45 years and 161 days old, is at his first World Cup for the Pharaohs and will win his 157th cap.

The goalkeeper beats the previous record, held by Colombia keeper Faryd Mondragon, who was 43 years and three days old when he appeared at the World Cup in 2014.

Egypt are seeking a first World Cup win at their third tournament appearance and face a Saudi Arabia side looking to avoid finishing bottom of a World Cup group for the fourth time in their history.

إليكم تشكيل #الفراعنة لمباراة اليوم أمام @SaudiNT #worldcup #ThePharaohs #KSAEGY pic.twitter.com/nM4cB6inSn
— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) 25 June 2018

Hector Cuper's side lost their first Group A matches, to Uruguay and Russia, and their preparation for their final game was shrouded in mystery after Mohamed Salah's name was originally omitted from their starting lineup.

Salah, who could yet quit the national team, was nowhere to seen in Egypt's first starting XI before appearing alongside history-maker El-Hadary in a revised version.

Speaking at a prematch news conference before he was confirmed as starting, El-Hadary said: "Obviously every player wants to set a record. It would not only be my achievement but also an achievement for Egypt."

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