2026 World Cup: 7 Possible Farewells

In less than three months, forty-eight teams, six continents and over 1,100 players would be playing for an 11-pound, 18 karat gold trophy. With players like Lamine Yamal (Spain), Rayan (Brazil) and Désiré Doué (France) making their World Cup debut, it could be the last World Cup for many legendary players who gave it all for their nations.

Whether you are a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, witnessing them on the pitch for one last time could be an overwhelmingly emotional moment. It could be the "end of an era" moment for Gen Z and millennials who grew up supporting FC Barcelona or Real Madrid for these two players.

Essam El Hadery, an Egyptian goalkeeper, holds the record for being the oldest player to play in the FIFA World Cup at 45 years old. In contrast, the oldest outfielder was Cameroon's Roger Milla at 42. While keeping at 40+ is a difficult task, running in the outfield for over an hour is close to impossible. Although nothing is official yet, these 10 players might be playing what could be their last World Cup.

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Cristiano Ronaldo (41, Portugal)

The epitome of athleticism and longevity, Cristiano Ronaldo might still be looking unstoppable to fans, but age catches up with everyone. Though we don't want him to retire, he is 41, and Portugal might be looking for someone who can fill his shoes. Portugal would be playing in a World Cup group alongside debutants Uzbekistan and dark horses Colombia. He may not be playing the role of sprinting winger, but his strategy and his physical presence are all that matter to Portugal.

Luka Modrić (40, Croatia)

Every time we talk about the greatest midfielders in the world, Croatian Captain Luka Modrić is one of the leading names that pops up. He is constantly compared with the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Xavi Hernandez, which only amplifies why he's the best in the game right now. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner might have a final chance to lead his nation to glory. He was close to winning in 2018, but fate was on Hugo Lloris's side. Croatia will be playing in Group L of the FIFA World Cup, and is ready to face Ghana, Panama and the mighty England.​

Lionel Messi (38, Argentina)

Football is unimaginable without this 5'7 tall guy who can dribble past the strongest defenders. Lionel Messi had a dream run in 2021-2022, winning the Copa América and the FIFA World Cup 2022. By the next World Cup, Messi will be 42, which can be a difficult age for any winger or playmaker. Despite being 38, he is unstoppable and has plenty of magic to give. Although he has done everything to solidify his G.O.A.T status, witnessing him represent Argentina one last time would be an overtly emotional moment for fans.

Robert Lewandowski (37, Poland)

People might not remember who Robert Lewandowski is in the future. He may have scored 88 international goals in 163 appearances and became the all-time leading goalscorer for Poland, but he's born in the wrong era. Competing against the likes of Messi, Ronaldo and Lukaku in terms of goal-scoring ability is tough. The Polish team might look strong, but it has only a handful of high-quality gamechangers, and Lewandowski is one of them. Poland has advanced in UEFA qualifying and is set for a crucial knockout tie on March 26. For Lewandowski to have a dream run, Poland must qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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Kevin De Bruyne (34, Belgium)

The "Ginger Pele" is the last world-class pillar of Belgium's "Golden Generation". He is known for his exceptional vision, elite passing range, and powerful long-range shooting. De Bruyne is Belgium's standout hope for the FIFA World Cup 2026. He has indicated his plans to evaluate his future with the Belgium national team after the summer. The 34-year-old midfielder may have faced recent injuries, but he is still the most lethal playmaker in the game. Belgium is in Group G of the FIFA World Cup and will face Egypt, New Zealand and Iran in the group stage.​

Virgil van Dijk (34, Netherlands)

The Netherlands have been home to some of the best footballers, including Arjen Robben and Edwin van der Sar, and the team has given fans some of the most amazing experiences. Virgil van Dijk is yet another player who has been the top defender for the Dutch side and has been captaining since 2018. The centre-back has hinted that the FIFA World Cup 2026 could be his final act for the team. Witnessing him for the last time would be tough for Dutch fans, and the bigger concern would be his efficient replacement.​

Neymar Jr. (34, Brazil)

Despite being one of the best footballers in history, Neymar Jr. often feels like an "unfulfilled potential". In 128 appearances for Brazil, he has scored 79 goals, putting him among the top international goal scorers of all time. A career marred by heartbreaks and injuries, Neymar's story has not achieved what it deserved. At 34, it could be Neymar's last appearance at the World Cup, and write a happy ending to his journey. From teenage prodigy to an elder statesman, Neymar's story hits you personally.​

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Will all these players retire after the FIFA World Cup 2026?

So far, there have been no official announcements from these players, but the physical demands of elite football can take a toll on health. For Ronaldo and Modrić, the biological clock is the final whistle, and it would be close to impossible to play with the same efficiency at 45 or 44 years old. By the next World Cup, most of them can have affected agility, which is not ideal for any football player. Their absence might create a huge void, but also an opportunity for the next generation of talent to thrive.