Fifa World Cup: Players banned for long hair and 4 other little-known facts
Ahead of this year’s much-anticipated tournament revamp, which was first held in 1930, we take a look at five fun facts you may or may not know.
Every four years, half the world’s population stops what they’re doing to watch their country compete in the most respected sporting event on the planet: the FIFA World Cup.
With 32 teams and some of the biggest names in international football, it is one of the most watched events in the world.
Ahead of this year’s much-anticipated tournament revamp, which was first held in 1930, we take a look at five fun facts you may or may not know.
Football players have always been considered trendsetters and fans copy their looks without hesitation, from clothes to hairstyles. David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo are two excellent examples.
But what if your team coach doesn’t approve of your image? Argentine stars Claudio Caniggia and Fernando Redondo were left out of the 1998 World Cup squad because of their long hair. Argentina coach Daniel Passarella, nicknamed ‘César’ for being a strict disciplinarian, did not hesitate to leave out any player who did not play by his rules. Passarella believed that long hair made players lose concentration. However, he was quick to defend his action saying, ‘This is not a military move.’ Even Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer, Gabriel Batistuta, had to abide by César’s rules and preferred to keep his hair long.
The average age at which a footballer reaches his peak is said to be 25, but Egyptian Essam El Hadary defied that figure by representing his country at the 2018 World Cup in Russia aged 45. He proved it. Veteran international goalkeeper Essam El-Haydery made history by becoming the oldest player to play in the world’s biggest football tournament. Nicknamed “the high dam”, El Hadary spent most of his club career with A in Cairo; Ahly, with whom he won eight Egyptian Premier League titles. El Hadary retired in August 2018 after 159 caps for Egypt. In November 2019, the FIFA World Football Museum displayed the gloves worn by El Hadary when he made history as the oldest player and first African goalkeeper to save a penalty.
