Essam El-Hadary made his international debut in 1996 (Picture: Getty)

Essam El-Hadary has become the oldest player in World Cup history after being named in Egypt’s starting XI against Saudi Arabia.

Egypt’s 45-year-old captain was an unused substitute in the opening two games but has earned a start for the dead-rubber in Volgograd.

El-Hadary made his first professional appearance in 1993 for local club Damietta and played his first game for Egypt three years later.

The veteran has spent the majority of his career with Cairo-based club Al-Ahly, where he has won eight Egyptian Premier League titles, four Egypt Cups, four Egyptian Super Cups and four CAF Champions League titles.




He will make his 153rd appearance for his country on Monday against Saudi Arabia, who are also searching for a consolation victory as their World Cup campaign comes to an end.

El-Hadary takes the record from former Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon.

السد العالي صاحب 45 عاما يشارك اليوم أساسيا مع #الفراعنة رقم قياسي جديد لك يا @ElHadary #KSAEGY #السعوديه_مصر pic.twitter.com/TaGwypbxaR — Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) June 25, 2018

45y 161d – Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary (45y 161d) is older than three of the managers at the 2018 World Cup finals: 179 days older than Roberto Martínez

413 days older than Mladen Krstajic

1164 days older than Aliou Cissé#WorldCup #KSAEGY #EGY pic.twitter.com/zLX4bEbhQP — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 25, 2018

Egypt were without Liverpool sensation Mohamed Salah at the start of the tournament and in his absence suffered a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay.

Salah started against Russia last Tuesday but was unable to make an impact as the hosts ran out 3-1 winners.

Ahead of the Group A match against Saudi Arabia, Egypt boss Hector Cuper said: ‘This is an important match because we want to win and finish with a good result.

Egypt have already being knocked out of the World Cup (Picture: Getty)

‘We have prepared for it well and we want to represent the Egyptian people and make them happy with a victory.

‘We will play against Saudi Arabia to regain wellness and achieve our new ambitions after the early exit at this World Cup, which was a big shock and blow. The team will be at its best.

‘I don’t have a message to those who criticise me. It does not anger me. All I would say is that sometimes ambitions are unrealistic.’

MORE: Egypt FA speaks out over Mohamed Salah’s potential international retirement