As the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America draws closer, football’s ultimate evergreen superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to etch his name among the oldest players ever to grace the tournament, continuing a legacy of age-defying performances that have defined the competition’s rich history.

Ronaldo, who turned 41 on 5 February 2026, has repeatedly confirmed that this summer’s tournament will be his sixth and final World Cup appearance. The Portugal captain, still playing club football for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has made it clear he intends to lead his nation one last time on the global stage.

Here are  some of the world’s oldest players in World Cup history who have graced the global showpiece:

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Forward) — 41 years (2026)

Essam El Hadary (Egypt, Goalkeeper) — 45 years (2018 vs Saudi Arabia)

Faryd Mondragón (Colombia, Goalkeeper) — 43 years (2014 vs Japan)

Roger Milla (Cameroon, Forward) — 42 years (1994 vs Russia)

Pat Jennings (Northern Ireland, Goalkeeper) — 41 years (1986 vs Brazil)

Peter Shilton (England, Goalkeeper) — 40 years (1990 vs Italy)

Dino Zoff (Italy, Goalkeeper) — 40 years (1982 vs West Germany, final)

Ali Boumnijel (Tunisia, Goalkeeper) — 40 years (2006 vs Ukraine)

Jim Leighton (Scotland, Goalkeeper) — 39 years (1998 vs Morocco)

Ronaldo’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will not only underline his extraordinary longevity at the top of the game but also place him among an elite group of players whose careers have spanned multiple decades and multiple tournaments.

The Oyo State Government has approved the elevation of Senator Sharafadeen Ali, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, along with High Chiefs Bolaji Adewoyin and Kola Babalola, to beaded crown-wearing Obas in Ibadanland.

They are promoted to Ekerin Olubadan, Ekaarun Balogun and Ekarun Olubadan.

Following their promotion, the high chiefs will ascend to obaship status and attain an elevated rank within the state traditional council.

According to reporte agthered that Alli was being considered as a consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 governorship election.

Other APC aspirants eyeing the Oyo governorship seat on the APC platform include the 2023 governorship candidate of the party, Teslim Folarin; senator representing Oyo North, Abdulfatai Buhari; Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu; former Oyo Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan; lawyer, Akeem Agbaje; former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu; former Oyo Health Commissioner, Azeez Adeduntan; Saheed Oladele, Gbenga Adegbola, and Kunle Busari, the son of the late Ibadan strong politician in the First and Second Republic, Chief Busari Adelakun, popularly known as Eruobodo.

On Thursday, the government approved the promotion of Alli in a memo authorised by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, titled: “Re: Request for the list of High Chiefs who are due for elevation to wear beaded crown in Ibadanland,” with registration number CB,211/10Vol IT/67 dated March 26, 2026, a copy of which was obtained by Journalists.

The letter was addressed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

The letter read, “I have the directive to refer to Your Majesty’s correspondence ref no L/ADV/Co/1242/843 dated 23rd March, 2026, in respect of the above and to inform Your Majesty that while making arrangements for the compilation of the High Chiefs and Baales who are due for beaded crown wearing in Ibadanland as requested.

“It is traditionally necessary and very essential at this point in time that the newly elevated Chiefs in Olubadan in Council, i.e. High Chief Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin, Ekeerin Olubadan, High Chief Sharafadeen Ali, Ekaarun Balogun and High Chief Kola Babalola, Ekaarun Olubadan, should be immediately conferred with beaded crowns in order to avoid unnecessary insinuation that the delay is deliberate and political.

“This is necessary in order to protect the Ibadan traditional institution. To this end, Your Majesty is hereby informed that the coronation/crown-wearing programme for the above-mentioned High Chiefs has been fixed for Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

“The promotion of the affected High Chiefs is in line with the 2024 Chieftaincy law as amended. With the promotion, the affected High Chiefs have become members of the Olubadan Advisory Council,” the letter stressed.

The PUNCH reports that in 2024, the Oyo State Government gazetted the new Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, showing the new amendment.

The new Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, which was passed by the state House of Assembly and signed into law by Governor Seyi Makinde in 2025, revised Section 4 of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.

The original version stated: “The person who may be proposed as a candidate by the line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line.”

Section 4 of the amendment, titled “New Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration,” replaced “the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line” with “the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that Line.”

Section 4 of the new law states: “The person who may be proposed as a candidate by the line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that line.”

When contacted the media aide to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Adeola Oloko, on Thursday, he confirmed the receipt of the letter from the state government.

He said, “The palace has received the letter confirming the promotion of the three high chiefs to the status of the beaded crown-wearing Obas.

“The letter has been forwarded to the beneficiaries, and we are expecting their responses at the appropriate time.”

When also contacted, the Public Relations Officer of APC, Wale Sadare, said, “It is not party affairs. The media aide to the senator will respond accordingly.”

Reacting to the development, a legal practitioner, Muideen  Olagunju, said there was no constitutional provision barring a traditional ruler from contesting elections.

“In my opinion, this is unprecedented in Oyo State. There is no express provision in the law that stops a monarch from contesting elections. It is more of a moral issue rooted in tradition than a legal restriction.”

He added that while traditional rulers were expected to be politically neutral, history has shown instances where monarchs participated in politics without legal consequences.

A close ally of Senator Alli, however, told The PUNCH that the lawmaker would not attend the coronation as fixed by the government.

The ally, who preferred anonymity because he was not authorised by the governorship aspirant to respond, said efforts by the Makinde-led government to stop the governorship aspiration of the senator would end in futility.

He said it was clear that Oba Ladoja was not ready for the promotion, as the palace was still compiling a list of other chiefs due for promotion.

Borrowing from the English poet, William Shakespeare, he said: “No amount of water in the rough, rude sea can wash the balm off from a man on whose shoulders it will please God to place the mantle of leadership of the state come next year.”

“Makinde can go ahead with the coronation. By the grace of the Almighty God, Alli will attend his coronation on May 29, 2027, when he will, Deo Volente, be crowned the governor of Oyo State.”

The Nigerian Army on Thursday pulled out 18 senior officers of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport following their retirement after 35 years of meritorious service.

The colourful pulling-out parade marked the conclusion of a three-day conference held in Benin, the Edo capital.

The conference has as theme “Optimising Supply and Transport Capabilities Towards Providing Effective Service Delivery to NA Operations in All Missions”.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, Maj.-Gen. Danjuma Shagaya, said the retired officers comprised four Major Generals and 14 Brigadier Generals.

Shagaya noted that the officers had served the nation with dedication from the time of their commissioning until retirement.

He described the event as both a celebration and recognition of their contributions.

“It is a joyous moment for the Corps of Supply and Transport, as current and former Corps Commanders are present to honour and celebrate these distinguished officers,” he said.

He explained that the pulling-out ceremony was a longstanding military tradition that provided an opportunity to celebrate years of service and sacrifice.

The corps commander also commended the Chief of Army Staff, for recognising the sacrifices and contributions of the retired officers by sending a representative to grace the occasion.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Maj.-Gen. Olaniyi Dare, said their careers spanned several decades, during which they served the Nigerian Army in various operational, command, and staff roles.

According to him, the Corps of Supply and Transport plays a central and indispensable role in the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.

“We were entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that soldiers deployed across various theatres of operation are adequately sustained.”

Dare added that during training, peace support missions, or internal security operations within and outside the country, the corps remained committed to delivering reliable and efficient logistics support.

“As we transition into retirement, we recognise that while we may be leaving active service, our commitment to the ideals and values of the Nigerian Army remains steadfast.

“We will continue to serve as ambassadors of the corps and remain available to contribute our experience and knowledge whenever we are called upon,” he said.

He described the ceremony as symbolic, noting that beyond its significance, it offered a moment to reflect on decades of service, sacrifice, and commitment to national defence.

He also paid tribute to the families of the retired officers, acknowledging the critical role.

“Military life often demands long separations, personal sacrifices, and constant movement.

“Their understanding, patience, and encouragement made it possible for us to fulfil our duties with dedication,” he said.