Soccer stars come in every shape and size, but height gives certain players natural advantages on the field. Tall players excel when contesting headers, while goalkeepers with extra reach can cover more of the goal. This physical edge is particularly valuable in set-piece situations and aerial duels.
Tall Players by Position
Goalkeepers and forwards typically dominate the list of tallest soccer players. Analysis of World Cup squads (2002-2018) confirms that goalkeepers are consistently the tallest position group, with midfielders the shortest. At the 2018 World Cup, goalkeeper heights ranged from 179cm to 201cm.
The tallest soccer player ever recorded stands at a towering 2.1 meters (6 ft 10.5 in) – German goalkeeper Simon Bloch Jorgensen, who played for Waltham Abbey in Essex as of 2022. Close behind is Belgian Kristof Van Hout at 2.08m (6 ft 10 in), who plays for Belgian club Lommel.
Tallest Professional Soccer Players
| Rank | Ht (cm) | Ht (feet/inch) | Player | Nationality | Position |
| 1 | 210 | 6′ 10.5″ | Simon Bloch Jorgensen | Germany | GK |
| 2 | 208 | 6′ 10″ | Kristof Van Hout | Belgium | GK |
| 208 | 6′ 10″ | Paul Miller | Scotland | FW | |
| 4 | 206 | 6′ 9″ | Tonny Brogaard | Denmark | GK |
| 5 | 206 | 6′ 9″ | Tomáš Holý | Czechia | GK |
| 6 | 206 | 6′ 9″ | Kyle Hudlin | England | FW |
| 7 | 205 | 6′ 9″ | Vanja Iveša | Croatia | GK |
| 205 | 6′ 9″ | Yang Changpeng | China | FW | |
| 205 | 6′ 9″ | Daniel Müller | Germany | GK | |
| 10 | 204 | 6′ 8.5″ | Tor Hogne Aaroy | Norway | FW |
| 204 | 6′ 8.5″ | Jason Mooney | Northern Ireland | GK | |
| 12 | 203 | 6′ 8″ | Lacina Traoré | Ivory Coast | FW |
| 203 | 6′ 8″ | Costel Pantilimon | Romania | GK | |
| 203 | 6′ 8″ | Øyvind Hoås | Norway | FW | |
| 203 | 6′ 8″ | Even Iversen | Norway | FW | |
| 203 | 6′ 8″ | Kjell Petter Opheim | Norway | GK |
- Data Source: Heights taken from player profiles on Wikipedia when available, otherwise from various online sources (Nov 2025)
Tallest International Soccer Players
| Rank | Ht (cm) | Ht (feet/inch) | Player | Nationality | Position | Notes |
| 1 | 203 | 6′ 8″ | Lacina Traoré | Ivory Coast | FW | national team 2012–2015 |
| 203 | 6′ 8″ | Costel Pantilimon | Romania | GK | national team 2008–2017 | |
| 3 | 202 | 6′ 7.5″ | Stefan Maierhofer | Austria | FW | national team 2008–2011 |
| 202 | 6′ 7.5″ | Nikola Žigić | Serbia | FW | 2006 & 2010 World Cup | |
| 202 | 6′ 7.5″ | Zeljko Kalac | Australia | GK | 2006 World Cup, national team 1992–2006 | |
| 202 | 6′ 7.5″ | Jan Koller | Czechia | FW | 2006 World Cup |
- Data Source: Heights taken from player profiles on Wikipedia when available, otherwise from various online sources (Nov 2025)
Tallest Players at the World Cup
| Rank | Ht (cm) | Ht (feet/inch) | Player | Nationality | Position | World Cup |
| 1 | 202 | 6′ 7.5″ | Nikola Žigić | Serbia | FW | 2006 & 2010 |
| 202* | 6′ 7.5″ | Peter Crouch | England | FW | 2010 | |
| 202 | 6′ 7.5″ | Zeljko Kalac | Australia | GK | 2006 | |
| 202 | 6′ 7.5″ | Jan Koller | Czechia | FW | 2006 | |
| 5 | 201 | 6′ 7″ | Lovre Kalinic | Croatia | GK | 2018 |
| 201 | 6′ 7″ | Fraser Forster | England | GK | 2014 | |
| 201 | 6′ 7″ | Dennis Lawrence | Trinidad & Tobago | DF | 2006 | |
| 8 | 200 | 6′ 6.5″ | Thibaut Courtois | Belgium | GK | 2014, 2018 |
| 9 | 203 | 6′ 8″ | Andries Noppert | Netherlands | GK | 2022 |
- Data Source: Heights retrieved from World Cup player databases on www.worldfootball.net (Nov 2025)
Note: Peter Crouch is listed at 202cm in this database, so he remains at that height on this list even though he is listed as 201cm elsewhere, including on Wikipedia.
FAQs
1. Who is the tallest soccer player of all time?
Simon Bloch Jorgensen holds the record at 6’10.5″ (210cm). The German goalkeeper most recently played for Waltham Abbey in Essex, England.
2. Are most tall soccer players goalkeepers?
Yes, goalkeepers dominate the list of tallest players, though several forwards also rank among the tallest. Height gives goalkeepers greater reach and command of the penalty area.
3. Who is the tallest outfield player in professional soccer?
Paul Miller (Scotland) and Yang Changpeng (China) share the honor at 6’10” and 6’9″ respectively. Most notably, Lacina Traoré of Ivory Coast stands 6’8″ and competed internationally.
4. Has any 7-foot player competed professionally in soccer?
No verified 7-foot (213cm) player has competed at the professional level. The tallest confirmed player is Simon Bloch Jorgensen at 6’10.5″ (210cm).
5. Who was the tallest player at the 2022 World Cup?
Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert stood tallest at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, measuring 6’8″ (203cm). His height helped him secure the starting position for the Netherlands during the tournament.
