Egypt's El Hadary becomes the oldest player in World Cup history

At the age of 45 years and 161 days Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary has set the record as the oldest player to participate in a World Cup game.

Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary deflects a penalty during the group A match between Saudi Arabia and Egypt Source: AAP

Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary now holds the record for being the oldest player to participate in a World Cup game.

El Hadary started against Saudi Arabia in the Group A game at Volgograd.

At 45 years and 161 days, he is older than the coaches of three national teams competing at the tournament.

Faryd Mondragon of Colombia held the record - he was 43 years and three days when he played against Japan at the 2014 World Cup.

El Hadary, who was an unused substitute in Egypt's opening two games, had described the possibility of playing as "not only being my achievement but also an achievement for Egypt."

El Hadary made his Egypt debut in 1996, 10 months before the youngest player in Egypt's World Cup squad, Ramadan Sobhi, was born and now earns his 159th cap.

He helped Egypt to four Africa Cup of Nations titles, including three straight from 2006 to 2010, but is appearing at his first World Cup.

Both teams are out of contention after losing their first two games at the tournament.