Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who is 45, took the field for his team's final group match to eclipse the record set in 2014 by Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon.
With his side having taken the lead through attacker Mo Salah, El Hadary was called into action to save his team on 41 minutes after Ahmed Fathi conceded a penalty for handball.
Saudi striker Fahad Al Muwallad sent his ball left, but the Egyptian captain, who made his international debut when the Green Falcons player was aged two, dived to his right and flicked his left hand up to push the shot onto the bar before it was cleared.
But the match ended in a 2-1 defeat for El Hadary, who had a video assistant referee (VAR) awarded penalty scored against him in first half stoppage time.
Salem Aldawsari scored with almost the last kick of the match for the Saudis, shooting from a tight angle inside the Egypt penalty area and poking the ball past the veteran goalkeeper.
El Hadary also made a series of good saves in the second half to deny Saudi Arabia, notably in the 69th minute when he tipped a header from Hussain Almoqahwi over the bar.
A minute later, he parried away a goal-bound header from Muhannad Asiri.
El Hadary finished the game with six saves from Saudi Arabia's eight shots on target and said he was honoured to have made the field.
"I am very sorry for the fans, for everyone in Egypt," El Hadary said.
"I want to thank my teammates. It was a great honour for me to play."
Egypt coach Hector Cuper praised the record-breaking performance of the 45-year-old goalkeeper.
"It is true that it was a special record today and many, many people in Egypt love him and support him and he has played a great game," he said.
Age no barrier at the World Cup
El Hadary overtook Mondragon as the oldest person to play at the World Cup.
The Colombia goalkeeper was 43 when he came on as a late substitute in his team's 4-1 victory over Japan four years ago at the World Cup in Brazil.
The oldest outfield player ever to appear at the World Cup is former Cameroon striker Roger Milla, who became the oldest player to score at the tournament when the then 42-year-old found the net in his team's 6-1 win over Russia at USA 94.
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