Craig Gordon: World Cup 2026 World Cup 2026 Oldest Player From Death Risk
Craig Gordon has made Scotland's squad for the 2026 World Cup despite 'unrelenting' warnings of remsheaths, operations and neck treatment. His role was instrumental in the 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden as they progressed to the tournament.
In March, Craig Gordon saw an early milestone after a rejuvenating trip to London and Spain/Sweden: Dr. Osama Jannoun, a spine expert who had seen a case of needing neck surgery, told him straight up — while the risks of the treatment are serious, family life can also be affected; There have been warnings of paralysis or death.
Heeding those warnings, Gordon continued his career in care. His story, currently in Charlotte, North Carolina as preparations for the 2026 World Cup are underway, will be featured in BBC Scotland's Icons of Football documentary with intimate footage. The film is emotional, brutal and inspirational.
Gordon says — his entire career has been a series of revivals. Right shin injuries, broken shoulders, knee surgeries, neck and shoulder problems — all of which combined kept him out of football for about 1,975 days, or about 200 matches. Patellar tendinitis in 2012 signaled a threat to his career: two years out, Sweden and Spain saw specialists, three surgeries and the club (Sunderland) frowned at the notion and took him to a psychologist — but it wasn't as psychological as 'first' thought.
A surgeon even offered to retire — which convinced him to leave. But Gordon decided to continue. Regular football eluded him from 2012 to 2014. He embarks on a journey of recovery in the sense of "forgetting me".
Gordon has represented Scotland for ten decades — his Scottish debut was more than 22 years ago; Youngsters who have since been in Scotland's World Cup squad include Bena Gannon-Doake, Findlay Curtis, Tyler Fletcher who were born before birth. "I thought I might never play again, and I was afraid my whole life would be affected," he said of the neck problems.
He said he prioritized family life and being in a position to play normally with his children: "It was a balancing act between playing and having a good life with our family." He saw the World Cup opportunity as one final incentive not to retire — there was talk that otherwise he would have been more likely to retire at the end of last season.
Scotland coach Steve Clarke at one stage considered keeping Gordon out of the squad for last Euros; But it turned out just as Gordon proved. Hearts' time spent at club and international level, as well as the aforementioned limited number of matches played due to injuries — made just six appearances at the Garden this season: three for club, three for country.
On a thoughtful day at Hampden, Denmark played the most important match that could undo a long history — a 4-2 victory over Scotland to reach the World Cup after 28 years. Gordon was emotional that night: as he said, that call was crucial for Steve Clarke's team. Scott McTominay scored a wonderful goal and Kieran Tierney finished the match off the top corner from outside the box. Gordon said he did nothing but save his goal on the clock — "I thought celebrating would take the focus off," he interjected.
Gordon and Angus Gunn are in contention for a starting place in Scotland's World Cup-bound squad for the first match (in a fixture in Haiti). While Angus Gunn is currently seen as first-choice, the maximum neglect of the past two decades has given Gordon a fresh chance — experience has told him not to set him up.
One fact is this: Gordon is the oldest player in the 2026 tournament. He would have become the second-youngest player in World Cup history if he played in the match — and deservedly so to be considered the man who showed up until the end.