Lloris Faces Crossroads as LAFC Prepares for Historic Club World Cup Debut

Hugo Lloris is set to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup with LAFC this month, though it remains uncertain whether this appearance will lead to his participation in next year's FIFA World Cup across North America.

Despite no longer being France's first-choice goalkeeper, Lloris continues to be a valuable option in the squad rotation. His experience from France's 2018 World Cup triumph in Russia and their runner-up finish at Qatar 2022 provides leadership as younger players increasingly take prominent roles.

The 38-year-old has impressed during his 48 appearances for LAFC in MLS, but his contract concludes at the end of this season, leaving his future uncertain as he approaches the final stages of his professional career.

"To be honest, I don't know if I'll still be playing or not," Lloris revealed to L'Equipe. "I haven't made that decision yet. There'll probably be discussions with the club this summer, but deep down, I don't have the answer. I feel good at the moment, but I'm also realistic."

With 145 international appearances for France—the most in the nation's history—Lloris wouldn't be the first MLS goalkeeper to continue playing into or beyond his late thirties. Seattle Sounders' Stefan Frei is participating in this year's Club World Cup at 39, while Atlanta United's Brad Guzan is currently 40 years old.

If Lloris aspires to become MLS's oldest-ever player, he would need to surpass former Houston Dynamo and Canada international goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who retired in 2011 after turning 43.

For now, the former Tottenham and Lyon star is concentrating on advancing from LAFC's Club World Cup group, which includes matches against his former Premier League rival Chelsea, along with Tunisia's ES Tunis and Brazil's Flamengo.

"Chelsea had a great season. They're a young, solid team. But afterward, there's always that question mark. I've been in that situation: the European season is over, it was long, and we finish with international matches, so we've to start again from the ground up," Lloris commented about facing his former London opponents.

"[The Club World Cup] is still unprecedented for all the great players present. We can't anticipate their physical and mental resources...we have to be clear-headed; the economic stakes for the clubs are enormous."