Tallest Soccer Players in the World 2025: Top 10 Giants

Graphic illustrating the top 10 tallest soccer players in the world. Soccer fans often marvel at players who tower above the rest. In this article on the tallest soccer players in the world, we count down the 10 tallest professional footballers known today. At average professional height ~182cm, players standing over 2 meters (6ft 7in) are extremely rare – these 10 giants range from roughly 2.02m to 2.10m. Each of these athletes uses their imposing stature – most are goalkeepers or strikers – to dominate in the air and make big plays on the pitch. Read on to meet the tallest players globally (active in 2025) along with key facts about their careers and clubs.

Table of Contents

Height range: All players listed stand at least 2.02m (6ft 8in) tall, with heights up to 2.10m.
Positions: Most are goalkeepers (5 out of 10), reflecting the position’s value of height for covering goal; the others are mainly strikers or defenders.
Global mix: These players hail from Denmark, Belgium, Czech Republic, England, China, Serbia, Ivory Coast, Romania, Norway, and Austria, showing that towering players appear in leagues worldwide.
Active vs. retired: Most are still active professionals; Stefan Maierhofer (#10) is a notable former player. Their careers span top divisions and lower leagues alike, but all share one attribute: incredible height.

1. Simon Bloch Jørgensen – 2.10 m

Danish goalkeeper Simon Bloch Jørgensen tops the list at 2.10 meters (6 ft 10½ in), making him the tallest professional soccer player on record. Born in 1992 in Flensburg, Germany, Jørgensen spent his youth career at Danish clubs like Frem and FC Copenhagen. He later moved to England, and as of 2025 he plays for Waltham Abbey FC in England’s lower leagues. Despite not playing at the highest levels, his height alone makes him legendary. In fact, his 2.10m stature has earned him recognition in football history – he is widely cited as “the tallest professional footballer” ever.

Early Clubs: Frem, FC Copenhagen, B.93, B.1908 (Denmark).
Current Club: Waltham Abbey (England, 7th tier).
Trivia: At 2.10m, Jørgensen holds the world height record in professional football. His long legs and reach give him a huge advantage on crosses, even if he has mostly played in semi-professional leagues.

2. Kristof Van Hout – 2.08 m

Belgian goalkeeper Kristof Van Hout is 2.08 meters tall (6 ft 10 in). Born in 1987, Van Hout became famous for being one of the tallest players of all time. He spent most of his career in Belgium, playing for clubs such as KV Kortrijk, Standard Liège, Genk, and Westerlo. He even had a stint abroad with Delhi Dynamos in India. In 2022–2023 he played for his boyhood club Lommel SK. Van Hout’s height made him a backup at one point for Manchester City (though he never appeared in a competitive match for City). His towering 2.08m frame has been a standout, and he is often listed in rankings of the tallest footballers.

Career: Came through Lommel and Geel youth systems, then played for Willem II (Netherlands) and returned to Belgium with Kortrijk and Standard Liège. Later played for Genk, Westerlo, and Lommel.
Achievements: Won the Belgian league title with Standard Liège in 2010 (as backup). Also was part of Championship-winning Westerlo in 2019.
Off the Field: Van Hout has gained media attention for his height; at events he literally stands head and shoulders above teammates.

3. Tomáš Holý – 2.06 m

Czech goalkeeper Tomáš Holý stands 2.06 meters tall (6 ft 9 in). Born in 1991 in Příbram, Holý is noted for using his size to great effect in goal. He started his career in the Czech Republic (with Vlašim on loan) before moving to England in 2017 to join Gillingham in League One. He impressed with his shot-stopping and aerial dominance, and in 2020 Ipswich Town (then also in League One) signed him as their first-choice keeper. In 2022 he moved to Carlisle United (League Two), where his 2.06m height made him the tallest player at the club. Even though Holý is in his 30s, he still features regularly: as of 2025 he continues to play in England.

Clubs: Gillingham (2017–2020), Ipswich Town (2020–2022), loans to Cambridge Utd and Port Vale, Carlisle United (2022–present).
Highlights: Holý’s height gives him an edge on high crosses. He has kept numerous clean sheets in English lower leagues and is often mentioned among top tall goalkeepers.
Remark: His 2.06m stature places him well above the average keeper height, making him an imposing presence in goal.

4. Kyle Hudlin – 2.06 m

Kyle Hudlin is an English striker who measures 2.06 meters (6 ft 9 in) tall. Born in 2000, Hudlin is one of the youngest giants on this list. He started at non-league Solihull Moors, where his height helped him score plenty of headed goals. In 2022 he signed for Huddersfield Town in the English Championship, and in late 2024 he was on loan at Newport County, later Burton Albion, in League One. A BBC profile notes that “Hudlin stands at a towering 6ft 9in” and was dubbed “not just a big man” because he works on his technical skills.

Career: Joined Solihull Moors (National League), where he scored 13 goals in 2021–22. Moved to Huddersfield Town (Championship) in July 2022. Loan spells at AFC Wimbledon and Burton Albion (League One).
Attributes: Uses his height for hold-up play and headers. As BBC notes, he scored several headed goals but also focuses on footwork.
Fun fact: His nickname among fans is “The Skyscraper” due to his height. At only 24, he may yet move higher up, but already his 2.06m frame makes him one of England’s tallest players.

5. Yang Changpeng – 2.05 m

Chinese striker Yang Changpeng (born 1989) is 2.05 meters tall (6 ft 8½ in). Hailing from Wuhan, China, he is often cited as the tallest Chinese footballer. Dubbed “China’s Peter Crouch” by the media, Yang’s height made him a target-man forward. He began with Wuhan Optics Valley and was even invited on trial by Bolton Wanderers in England at age 17. Yang later played in the Chinese Super League for clubs like Hubei (Wuhan) and Henan Jianye. Despite limited goal-scoring, his 2.05m (6ft8in) stature is constantly remarked upon.

Clubs: Wuhan Optics Valley (youth), Hubei (senior), Changchun Yatai (loan), Chongqing Lifan, Guizhou Zhicheng, Henan Jianye.
Highlight: In 2006, as a teenager at 2.00m, he attracted attention in England when Bolton gave him a one-month trial. He eventually played regularly in China’s top league.
Notes: Yang’s height advantage did not fully translate to goals, but he remains a curiosity for scouts. His presence underscores that Asia too can produce giant players.

6. Žarko Marković – 2.04 m

Serbian defender Žarko Marković is 2.04 meters tall (6 ft 8 in). Born in 1987, Marković is a retired centre-back who, during his career, played in Serbia, Romania, and Kazakhstan. He started at Red Star Belgrade’s youth system and went on to play for Gaz Metan Mediaș (Romania) and FC Kairat (Kazakhstan) among others. His 2.04m frame made him one of the tallest outfield players. Marković continued playing at lower levels into his 30s; as of 2025 he was with FK Omladinac Novi Banovci (Serbia).

Career: Played for Gaz Metan Mediaș (2008–2013), Kairat Almaty (2013–2018), brief stints at Inđija and Radnik Surdulica (Serbia).
Trivia: Despite his height advantage for headers, Marković never played for Serbia’s senior national team. He did win titles with Kairat in Kazakhstan.
Note: Even retired players like Marković make the list, but we include him since sources credit him among the world’s tallest.

7. Lacina Traoré – 2.03 m

Ivorian striker Lacina Traoré is 2.03 meters tall (6 ft 8 in). Nicknamed “The Big Tree,” he began his career in Ivory Coast before moving to Europe. Traoré played for CFR Cluj (Romania), AS Monaco (France), and on loan for Everton (England) and CSKA Moscow (Russia). He won league titles in Romania and Russia. The Guardian confirms he is 6ft 8in, matching the 2.03m cited in profiles. His height, combined with surprising technique, made him a unique forward. Currently (2025) he is a free agent after playing for small clubs in Portugal.

Clubs: CFR Cluj, AS Monaco, Everton (loan), CSKA Moscow, Sporting CP (loan), Amiens, CFR Cluj again, Varzim.
Achievements: Romanian Liga I champion (2011–12), Russian Premier League champion (2015). Scored 24 goals in 38 games for CFR Cluj early in his career.
Fun fact: In 2014 he turned down West Ham and chose Everton; press noted he is “6ft 8in” tall. Traoré’s height made him one of the tallest players in the big European leagues at the time.

8. Costel Pantilimon – 2.03 m

Romanian goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon measures 2.03 meters (6 ft 8 in). Born in 1987, Pantilimon became well-known in England. He started at Politehnica Timișoara and moved to Manchester City in 2011 as an experienced backup. He notably played in City’s 2014 League Cup final (which City won). He later joined Sunderland and then Watford in the Premier League. As of 2025, Pantilimon plays for Nottingham Forest in the English Championship.

Career Highlights: League Cup winner with Manchester City (2014), Premier League appearances for Sunderland and Watford.
International: Romania’s number-one keeper at Euro 2016, earning 27 caps (2008–2017).
Remark: His 2.03m frame gives him a massive reach. He often uses his height to punch away crosses and dominate the penalty area.

9. Kjell Peter Opheim – 2.03 m

Norwegian goalkeeper Kjell Peter Opheim is 2.03 meters tall (6 ft 8 in). Born in 1982, Opheim has spent most of his career in Norway’s lower divisions, playing into his late 30s and early 40s. He currently plays for Stryn Fotball and, despite his age, remains on this list thanks to his 2.03m height. Opheim has won local championships (twice) with Stryn. While not in the global spotlight, he exemplifies a player who uses his height advantage at the national level.

Career: Norwegian lower leagues, primarily with Stryn Fotball (he even captained the team).
Facts: Opheim’s height (2.03m) is rare even in Norway. He is a two-time winner of his regional championship.
Note: He is in his 40s but still active in 2025, making the list one of the few active players of such stature.

10. Stefan Maierhofer – 2.02 m

Austrian striker Stefan Maierhofer stands 2.02 meters tall (6 ft 8 in). Born in 1982, Maierhofer had a long professional career across Europe. He played for Bayern Munich (2 first-team games), Rapid Wien (Austria), Wolverhampton Wanderers (England), Bristol City, Millwall (England), and Red Bull Salzburg, among others. Maierhofer retired in 2023. He was known as a traditional target forward; his 2.02m height gave him an edge in aerial duels. Notably, he scored 24 goals for Rapid Wien in 2008–09, earning him a move to Wolves in the Premier League.

Clubs: Rapid Wien (2008–09), Wolverhampton (2009–10), Millwall (2014), Red Bull Salzburg (2011–12).
Achievements: Austrian Bundesliga champion (with Red Bull Salzburg, 2011). Scored on his debut for Salzburg in European competition.
Retired: No longer active after 2023, but included here because credible sources list him among the tallest footballers.

Conclusion

The world’s tallest soccer players combine extraordinary height with professional skill. In our roundup of the tallest soccer players in the world, we’ve highlighted goalkeepers, strikers, and defenders who reach 2.02m and beyond. Although being over 2 meters tall provides natural advantages (especially in goal coverage and aerial battles), these players still rely on training and technique to succeed. From Danish keeper Simon Bloch Jørgensen (2.10m) to the legendary Austrian Stefan Maierhofer (2.02m), each athlete on this list has made a name partly because of size but also through hard work and performance. Which giant footballer surprised you the most? Share this article and leave a comment below to join the conversation!

FAQs

Q: Who is the tallest soccer player in the world right now?
A: As of 2025, the tallest professional player is Simon Bloch Jørgensen of Denmark at 2.10m (6 ft 10½ in). No other active player exceeds that height. In fact, multiple sources tie English striker Kyle Hudlin and Czech keeper Tomáš Holý at 2.06m (6ft9) for next tallest spot.

Q: What is the average height of professional footballers?
A: The average height of footballers worldwide is roughly 182.1 cm (about 5 ft 11 in). This means the players on our list (all 2.02m or taller) are nearly 20 cm above average. Such height is extremely rare, which is why the tallest players stand out so much on the field.

Q: Why are many of the tallest players goalkeepers or strikers?
A: Height is a big asset for goalkeepers because it helps cover the goal and reach high balls. Indeed, over half of the players here are goalkeepers. Tall strikers (like Lacina Traoré) are used as target forwards for crosses. Defenders in the top 10 are fewer, but height still helps center-backs win headers. In modern soccer, positions that rely on aerial ability tend to attract taller athletes.

Q: Does being extremely tall guarantee success in soccer?
A: Not necessarily. While height can give advantages (better aerial reach and a bigger physical presence), it must be paired with skill, speed, and fitness. Some of these tall players never reached the top international stages despite their stature. For example, Kristof Van Hout (2.08m) never played for Belgium’s senior team. Being a “giant” can also pose challenges like lower agility. Thus, height helps but does not alone make a great player.

Q: Are there any female soccer players on this list?
A: This list focuses on male professional players. The tallest female players are also very tall (typically around 1.90m+), but they would belong in a separate ranking. For instance, the top women’s players like Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod (1.88m) or German Christa Thoben (1.91m) are shorter than the men on this list.

Q: How are player heights verified?
A: Heights are usually taken from official team rosters, league records, or interviews. In some cases, heights can be exaggerated or rounded. The heights cited here (from trusted sources like Wikipedia or sports articles) come from official listings or reputable news sources. Even if a player’s exact height varies by a few centimeters in different sources, all players in this article are confirmed to be at least 2.02m tall.

Q: Where can I see more soccer player records or stats?
A: For more soccer stats and records, you can check official league sites, sports databases (like FIFA or UEFA sites), or specialized websites (e.g., Transfermarkt, Soccerway). Many tall player facts come from sports news and encyclopedias.