While the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the battleground for the title between the best teams in the world, it may also be the last appearance on the world stage for the great footballers.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luka Modric, Mohamed Salah and other veteran stars are likely to play the final World Cup.
So the eyes of the fans are not only on the tournament but also on the next global campaign of these legendary players.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
The 41-year-old Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo will participate in his record sixth World Cup.
Ronaldo has scored 30 goals in 37 matches for Al Nasr this season, and scored a total of 143 goals in Portugal.
He can become the first player to score 150 goals in this event.
Despite Ronaldo’s illustrious career, he has yet to lift the World Cup trophy.
Lionel Messi, Argentina
Lionel Messi, 38, will also make his record sixth World Cup appearance and lead defending champions Argentina.
Messi, Argentina’s top scorer and most successful player, has been plagued by injury problems ahead of the tournament, leading to questions about his full fitness.
However, eight-time Ballon d’winner Messi is still considered Argentina’s biggest hope.
Luka Modric, Croatia
40-year-old Croatian captain Luka Modric will play in his fifth World Cup, which could be his last.
Modric helped Croatia reach the World Cup finals in 2018 and third in 2022.
Neymar Jr., Brazil
Brazil’s top scorer Neymar is going to the World Cup at the age of 34.
Neymar, who returned to the national team after two and a half years, has already suffered many injuries.
Although he is younger than Ronaldo and Messi, he will be 38 years old at the 2030 World Cup and due to injuries in his career, the 2026 tournament is considered to be his last World Cup.
Manuel Neuer, Germany
Germany’s veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has joined the World Cup squad after returning from retirement at the age of 40.
Neuer has played in four World Cups in his career and helped Germany win the world title in 2014.
The 2026 event is undoubtedly heralded as the final World Cup event.
Mohamed Salah, Egypt
Regarded as one of Africa’s greatest footballers, Mohamed Salah rose to global fame after his spectacular success with Liverpool, winning 9 major awards with the club.
Although the 33-year-old Salah is no longer at the peak of his career, Egyptian fans still have high hopes for him.
It is likely to be his second and possibly last World Cup.
Kevin de Bruyne, Belgium
A key member of Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ from 2014 to 2022, Kevin De Bruyne continues to play a key role for club and national team.
The 2026 World Cup will be the fourth and possibly last World Cup for De Bruyne, who turns 35 this month.
Belgium’s hopes of success rest heavily on their performance.
Virgil van Dyck, Holland
Dutch captain and veteran defender Virgil van Dijk turns 35 next month.
Van Dijk, who won the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool, is past his prime, but is still considered a mainstay of the Dutch team.
The 2026 World Cup will be his third and possibly the last World Cup of his career.
Sadio Mane, Senegal
Senegal winger Sadio Mane missed the pre-2022 World Cup with injury, but is now fully fit to play.
The 34-year-old Mane is past his prime, but still considered a key player for Senegal.
This will be his third and most likely last World Cup, especially as he has already indicated that the last Africa Cup of Nations was his last.
Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico
Veteran Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa will join Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a record sixth World Cup.
Ochoa, who turns 41 next month, has been out of the national team for several years, but joined the team for the World Cup in his country.
He announced that he will retire from international football at the end of the tournament.
It is worth mentioning that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held jointly in America, Canada and Mexico, will start from June 11.
