Boumnijel will become the oldest player to appear at a World Cup finals when he takes to the field on June 14 against Saudi Arabia.

At 40 years and 62 days, he'll beat the previous record set by Cameroon striker Roger Milla who was 40 years and 39 days when he appeared at the 1990 finals.

There are other golden oldies in Germany waiting for one last shot at the big time.

Trinidad and Tobago's Russell Latapy, at 37, will be the oldest outfield player with Mexico defender Claudio Suarez, Latapy's teammate Shaka Hislop and Iran's Ali Daei not far behind.

Boumnijel believes he has plenty to offer despite his years.

"There are words, looks, attitudes. I try to reassure the youngsters," said Boumnijel who despite his years still has only 48 caps.

"I talk a lot on the pitch. My experience helps me to feel things, to anticipate and talking a lot helps ease the pressure."

Latapy, who will be 38 in August, and currently plays with Falkirk in the Scottish Premier League, admits he has lost some speed but not his knowledge of the game.

"Of course, I'm no young pup," said Latapy whose club career has taken him to Academica Coimbra, FC Porto and Boavista in Portugal as well as Hibernian, Rangers and Dundee United in Scotland.

"It is a bit unrealistic in my lifetime to come back for a fourth and fifth World Cup qualification."

Latapy has hit 28 goals in his 66-match international career.

But that is nothing compared to Daei, who has 109 goals from his 145 appearances

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