By Robbie Butler
Previously, we have examined the impact of age effects in football. An extensive literature has been built up in this area over the past number of years, with a growing number of people aware of the impact age can have on performance, from underage to adult football. With the World Cup just days away I thought it timely to examine the age of all 32 provisional squads travelling to Brazil. This analysis covers 736 players from the competing countries. Between them they have amassed a total of 24,500
plus caps!
The oldest player currently going to Brazil is 42 year old Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón. The Deportivo Cali stopper is 24 years older than Fabrice Olinga (Cameroon) and England’s Luke Shaw, both of whom are 18 years of age.
Previously, we have examined the impact of age effects in football. An extensive literature has been built up in this area over the past number of years, with a growing number of people aware of the impact age can have on performance, from underage to adult football. With the World Cup just days away I thought it timely to examine the age of all 32 provisional squads travelling to Brazil. This analysis covers 736 players from the competing countries. Between them they have amassed a total of 24,500
plus caps!
The oldest player currently going to Brazil is 42 year old Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón. The Deportivo Cali stopper is 24 years older than Fabrice Olinga (Cameroon) and England’s Luke Shaw, both of whom are 18 years of age.
Looking at previous World Cup’s over the past 20 years gives us an insight as to what to expect. The table below presents data on the average age of winning squads and the average age of the 11 players that lined out in the final for the winners. With the notable of expectation of the victorious Italians (2006), squads and teams are generally getting younger.
So what does that mean for the 32 countries heading to Brazil? The table below takes a closer look.
So what does that mean for the 32 countries heading to Brazil? The table below takes a closer look.
Argentina bring the oldest squad to Brazil. Should Messi and co. lift the FIFA World Cup their squad will be older on average than the Italian’s in 2006. However, the data would suggest that this isn’t a good sign for the much fancied second favorites. England look worryingly ‘young’, with an average age across their 23 players of just 26.04. Spain were younger when they lifted the trophy in 2010 and bring a squad that is on average two years older to the 2014 tournament. One could question whether there are now too many miles on the clock for these legends.
Just to dig a little deeper, the final table (below) only considers the 18 most capped players in each squad. As we don’t know who will line out, and because some younger players (with very few caps) may not play at all, we might get a closer estimate of the average age of each starting eleven by considering the most capped players. The assumption is that these are most likely to play. This isn’t a perfect measure but will have to do for now.
Just to dig a little deeper, the final table (below) only considers the 18 most capped players in each squad. As we don’t know who will line out, and because some younger players (with very few caps) may not play at all, we might get a closer estimate of the average age of each starting eleven by considering the most capped players. The assumption is that these are most likely to play. This isn’t a perfect measure but will have to do for now.
Honduras, Greece, Portugal and Iran all break the 29 year old mark and can probably be considered too old. Germany bring quite a young squad of 18 but could emulate the 2002 Brazil team who were aged just 26.18 on average when winning the World Cup. It would appear however that the hosts are perfectly poised. The average age of the winning team since 1994 has been 27.75 years. Brazil’s most capped 18 will be aged 27.56 years. Ominously close.
Only time will tell.
Only time will tell.
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