Top 10 Tallest Soccer Players In The World | All-Time Ranking
Height can be a great advantage, especially for players in the central defense. It’s an obvious requirement for goalkeepers, of course. Sometimes, attackers, too, can take great advantage of their long legs if they are gifted with a good height. Let’s take a look at some of the tallest soccer players of all time.
Belgian professional goalkeeper Kristof van Hout, 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 meters) in height, is surely the tallest football player of all time. British striker Paul Millar, 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 meters) in height, and Croatian goalie Vanja Iveša, 6 feet 9 inches (2.05 meters) in height, also deserve their mentions among the tallest soccer players of all time.
If we look at the best football players of all time, we will see that one of the legends is particularly known for his height. Obviously, with a lower center of gravity and better control, players of average heights find it easier to be creative.
Tallest Soccer Players In The World | All-Time Ranking
We are going to include all the footballers/soccer players who had to have played some sort of professional football during their careers. So just scroll down to get your answers.
10. Øyvind Hoås – 6 Feet 8 Inches (2.03 Meters)
A lanky footballer from Norway, he has made a name for himself in the soccer world. Oyvind Hoas has currently played as a striker for Kristiansund since his joining in 2015.
He started his football journey while playing for Molde FK, and then he transferred to Fredrikstad two years later. He earned acknowledgments for his brief career with Honefoss (Norwegian first-division team).
Besides his club appearances, Hoas also played for the under-21 international squad of Norway. With a height of 6ft and 8 inches, he is one of the tallest soccer players in the world.
Bonus: How Should Soccer Cleats Fit? Detailed Sizing Guide In 2024
9. Even Iversen – 6 Feet 8 Inches (2.03 Meters)
Norwegian defender Even Iversen never played outside of Norway throughout his professional career. He started his footballing journey while playing for Oslo East and Flakstad, IL, during his childhood days.
He has played for the Norwegian club Hasle-Løren Idrettslag since his joining in 2013. The only pinnacle of his professional soccer career came when he played for the Norwegian League Champions Bode/Glimt in 2006-2007.
With an unmatched height of 6.8 feet, Iverson is the 9th tallest footballer in football history.
8. Kjell Petter Opheim – 6 Feet 8 Inches (2.03 Meters)
Norwegian footballer Kjell Petter Opheim has earned compliments for his performance with Norway’s club Stryn Football (3rd tier Norwegian league squad). As a goalkeeper standing 6.8 feet tall, he took advantage of his height during his heydays.
Besides Stryn, he also played for several other big clubs, such as 2-time Norwegian Premier League winners Lyn Football and the 1983 Norwegian Cup winners Moss FK.
He also participated in several competitive matches for the Manglerud Star Club. Despite having good seasons in the Norwegian lower league, Opheim never really made a mark for himself in the world of football.
7. Costel Pantilimon – 6 Feet 8 Inches (2.03 Meters)
Romanian footballer Costel Fane Pantilimon last played as a goalkeeper for the Turkish club Denizlispor. He earned praise for his performance with Manchester City during his time in the club between 2011 and 2014.
While playing for City, he became the tallest soccer player in Premier League. After leaving the sky blues, he then played for Sunderland. At the height of 6’8″ (203 cm), he currently stands at the 7th spot.
He is known for his fine conduct and performance. Besides his club career, Pantilimon has also played for the Romanian national team since 2008.
6. Lacina Traore – 6 Feet 8 Inches (2.03 Meters)
Ivorian footballer Lacina Traoré last played for the Portuguese side Varzim. Traoré came into notice when Monaco bought him in 2014. But he is mostly known for his stint with Everton on loan from AS Monaco.
He played as a striker for Premier League side Everton and became the tallest soccer player in EPL. Traoré is nicknamed the “Gentle Giant” and “The Big Tree” due to his 6 feet 8-inch frame.
He does not just rely on his height but also on his pace and power. Traoré also played for Sporting Gijón and made his debut in La Liga against Alavés on 5th February 2017.
You May Like: How Are Soccer Balls Made In 2023? (Material + Manufacturing Techniques)
5. Tor Hogne Aarøy – 6 Feet 8 1/2 Inches (2.04 Meters)
Norwegian football forward Tor Hogne Aaroy scored several impressive goals for the Norwegian Premier League club Aalesunds FK. His stint with Japanese club JEF United Chiba also got praise from football pundits.
Standing at 2.04 meters (6 ft 8 1/2 in), Tor Hogne Aaroy is the world’s 5th tallest soccer player.
Aarøy earned his call-up for the Norwegian national team on 27th January 2009 as a part of then-caretaker coach Egil Olsen’s first squad. But sadly, he opted to withdraw from the national squad to stay at home awaiting the birth of his second kid.
4. Yang Changpeng – 6 Feet 8 1/2 Inches (2.05 Meters)
Yang is a Chinese striker and is well known due to his stint with Bolton Wanderers in 2006. Upon his arrival, he was dubbed “Chinese Peter Crouch” when he was at a one-month trial in England.
But as he failed to make an impression, he moved back to his country. He then played for several Chinese clubs, such as Chengdu Blades, Shenzhen Fengpeng, Meizhou Kejia, and Yinchuan Helanshan.
He is currently playing for Henan Jianye in the Chinese Super League. The 6 feet and 8.1/2 inches tall Chinese soccer star is the 4th tallest footballer in the world.
3. Vanja Iveša – 6 Feet 9 Inches (2.05 Meters)
Croatian goalkeeper Vanja Ivesa last played for NK Opatija. He also played for Elazığspor, the first-division club in Turkey. He became the oldest player ever to participate in the Croatian First Football League on 17th February 2018.
After making his debut with NK Istra in 1995, Ivesa played for multiple clubs in and out of Croatia, such as Australian league team Sydney United FC, Croatian Football Club NK Zminj, Turkish Club Eskişehirspor, and his native club NK Istra.
2. Paul Millar – 6 Feet 10 Inches (2.08 Meters)
Millar is a British striker who last played for the Scottish side Deveronvale. He is mostly acknowledged for his performance for Elgin City FC between 2010 and 2014. Elgin City FC staff had to heighten the entrance because of his 6′ 10″ height.
He then played for Formartine United during the season 2014-15. Besides being a footballer, he is also a full-time fireman who works at the RAF Kinloss base at Moray in the Highland areas of Scotland.
Kirkcaldy YM recently inducted him into their hall of fame at the annual award ceremony.
Further Read: How To Shoot A Soccer Ball? (With Accuracy & Precision)
1. Kristof van Hout – 6 Feet 10 Inches (2.08 Meters)
The 36-year-old goalkeeper is officially the tallest goalkeeper and tallest soccer player in the world, measuring up to a monstrous 6ft 10 inches. He began his career in the Netherlands at Willem II, the former club of Jaap Stam before he moved to the PSV squad.
Later, he also played for the Belgium side K.V. Kortrijk. He then moved to Standard Liege on a three-year contract on 6 August 2009. He also played as a goalie for the Indian Super League club Delhi Dynamos FC in season 2014-15.
Kristof is currently a squad member of the Belgian Pro League club Lommel SK since 2022. This lanky goalkeeper doesn’t even have to jump to catch the incoming corners because of his 6’10” height.
Final Words
Which one is your favorite in this list of tallest soccer players in [year]? Let us know in the comments section below.
Tallest Soccer Players – 2024 | Infographics
Our Popular Post: Why Do Soccer Players Flop So Much? (Explained!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is soccer good for tall people?
Soccer players are usually considered to have an advantage if they are tall. They are better able to reach the ball on the offensive and defensive sides of the field.
Q. Who is the tallest footballer in the world?
A whopping 6ft 10 inches tall, Kristof van Hout is the tallest goalkeeper and the tallest soccer player in the world. Before joining PSV, he played for Willem II, a former club of Jaap Stam.
Q. Is Peter Crouch the tallest soccer player?
Indeed, Peter Crouch is the tallest soccer player in the world. Known as one of the tallest players in football history, Peter Crouch is unbelievably good on the ball for someone of his size.
Q. Does running make you taller?
Unfortunately, it’s not true that running will make you taller. Once you have finished growing as an adult, your skeleton cannot get taller, whether you run or not. You may appear taller when you run, however, because running improves your posture.