An axial cage for cylindrical rolling elements includes an annular disc, the disc having a W-shaped profile cross-section and including a radially inner rim, a radially outer rim, and a U-shaped bead connected via straight profile sections to the rims. Rectangular cage pockets are worked out of the bead and the adjoining straight sections, between which are pocket webs that connect the rims to one another and hold cylindrical rolling elements in the cage pockets. The outer rim has a crown cap-like overall shape such that it includes, in the region of each cage pocket, a constriction that extends axially into the cage pocket and is in supporting contact with an end face of the rolling elements, and, in the region of each pocket web, a section corresponding to the outer diameter of the axial cage.