The 2026 World Cup is on the horizon, with the opening game set to take place on Thursday as Mexico welcome South Africa in the opener of the 23rd edition of football’s greatest tournament.
The stage is set and for many young players it is a chance to shine. However, this year’s global tournament will also serve as a curtain call for some of football’s biggest stars.
Among those set to play at their last World Cup finals this summer are Premier League greats, titans of the international game, and even former World Cup winners.
Here, Daily Mail Sport waves farewell to some of the greatest players to play the game in their last dance at international level.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Number of World Cups played: 5
First World Cup appearance: Angola vs Portugal, June 11 2006
A hero for many football lovers across the planet, Cristiano Ronaldo will play in his sixth World Cup boasting an impressive record alongside Guillermo Ochoa and Lionel Messi as the only players to have featured in six or more World Cups.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to go out on a high at this summer’s World Cup in America
The 41-year-old made his debut at the finals a staggering 20 years ago and has been a fixture in the side at every tournament since
The Portuguese phenomenon has notched eight goals and provided two assists in 22 appearances in this tournament and became the first and only player in history to score in five different World Cup campaigns in Qatar 2022.
Dubbed by international teammate Bruno Fernandes as, ‘the best striker in the world, and the greatest player in football history,’ it is clear for all to see the lasting impact Ronaldo has left at both international and club level. Yet still, many critics highlight the 41-year-old’s ego as a threat to his nation’s chances of going far in the tournament.
Despite the outside noise, Ronaldo will yet again lead his country in their opening game a week from now against the Democratic Republic of Congo who feature in their first tournament since 1974.
If Portugal are to have a say in the outcome of the 2026 World Cup, make no mistake that Ronaldo will have something to do with it. A grandstand finish looks on the cards for Portugal’s main man.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Number of World Cups played: 5
First World Cup appearance: Argentina vs Serbia and Montenegro, June 16 2006
After the incredible finish to the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar between Argentina and France, Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the trophy he had been chasing his whole career.
He teased the idea of retiring from international football before the campaign in 2022 saying, ‘It’s my last World Cup surely.’ Four years later and the Argentine magician has remained in Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man squad as they aim to become the first nation since 1962 to defend a World Cup title.
Lionel Messi achieved immortality in Argentina when he captained his side to their third World Cup victory in 2022
But there has been an injury scare for Messi ahead of this summer’s tournament, with the 38-year-old having to be replaced in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami’s 6-4 victory against Philadelphia Union just over two weeks ago. He was rested in Argentina’s penultimate international friendly on the weekend against Honduras.
Messi holds the all-time leading appearance record in World Cups with 26. He has scored 13 goals and provided eight assists in these appearances and in Qatar he was involved in ten of his nation’s 15 goals – a campaign that cemented him, as he has been so often throughout his career, as the man for the big occasion.
Argentina kickstart their tournament against Algeria in Kansas City next Wednesday. It is unclear yet whether Messi will feature against the Algerians, but one thing is for sure whether his minutes are limited or not: the superstar from Rosario has given generations of Argentinians hope that their country will win the World Cup for a fourth time.
Neymar Jr (Brazil)
Number of World Cups played: 3
First World Cup appearance: Brazil vs Croatia, June 12 2014
A man once affectionately labelled ‘O Menino de Ouro’ (the golden boy) by his boyhood club Santos has come a long way from the hardships he faced growing up in Sao Paolo.
Neymar has had an illustrious career and is celebrated as an icon across Brazil by fans – and even his international teammates – which is no surprise as to why his inclusion in the 2026 Brazil squad by Carlo Ancelotti was such a massive boost for his country.
For Brazilians, the name Neymar means more than just football. Neymar is a symbol of joy, creativity, flair and audacity and has made so many fall in love with watching him play. But the 34-year-old veteran has faced similar injury concerns as former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi, with a calf problem keeping him out for the time being.
Neymar experienced his maiden World Cup on home soil in 2014 after missing out on selection four years earlier
An injury-troubled veteran Carlo Ancelotti hopes that the star will be a talismanic presence for the squad this summer
Whilst he may be sidelined for a portion of Brazil’s group stage fixtures, his inclusion in the Selecao’s 26-man squad sparked mini celebrations across the nation.
The all-time leading scorer for Brazil is not shy of putting on a performance and has grabbed headlines in previous tournaments ranging from his outrageous skills to his even more outrageous haircuts.
With injuries causing a stop-start season with Santos, all signs point to this being Neymar’s last World Cup. Brazil will be hoping to give their man a perfect send off, winning the World Cup for the first time since 2002 in an attempt to repay their golden boy for everything he has given to them.
Luka Modric (Croatia)
Number of World Cups played: 4
First World Cup appearance: Japan vs Croatia, June 18 2006
Renowned for his elegant style of play and press resistance on the grandest of stages, few players embody the phrase ‘aged like a fine wine’ as Luka Modric does. Now playing his football in Italy for AC Milan the Croatian midfielder has typified what it means to be a true professional.
Modric scored what was perhaps his final goal on Croatian soil on Saturday in an international friendly against Slovenia. At 40 years old he is still the heartbeat of Croatia’s side, and adored by many fans across the globe. Nicknamed ‘The Maestro’ he will feature in fifth World Cup this summer as Croatia take on England in their opening game.
Throughout his career, Modric has always been a very intelligent footballer, and this has allowed him to outclass his opposition, even when his legs get heavy, through timing and decision making. With 196 caps, no one has represented Croatia more than Modric has. His longevity and hunger to play is a true credit to who he is as an athlete and person.
Luka Modric has been a mainstay in the Croatian set-up and continues as one of their key stars
Modric will captain a side looking to hit the heights they hit in 2018, when they reached the World Cup final for the first time in their nation’s history despite being beaten 4-1 by France. It looks unlikely that Modric will take part in another World Cup, and for football fans everywhere his name will live long in the memory for what he has achieved throughout his sparkling career.
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Number of World Cups played: 4
First World Cup appearance: Germany vs Australia, June 14 2010
Julian Nagelsmann announced ahead of the 2026 World Cup that 40-year-old Manuel Neuer will be the first-choice keeper for Germany. Neuer has redefined what it means to be a goalkeeper in the modern day, often recognised for his ability to play out the back with his feet and act as another defender earning himself the nickname ‘The Sweeper Keeper’.
Throughout his incredible career, Neuer has won 33 major professional trophies including 13 Bundesliga trophies, two UEFA Champions League trophies and – of course – the 2014 World Cup as Germany beat Argentina 1-0 thanks to a Mario Goetze goal deep into extra time. He also won the Golden Glove award in 2014 with four clean sheets in seven appearances.
After Germany’s quarter-final defeat in the 2024 Euros to tournament winners Spain, Neuer announced that he would be retiring from international football. Now ahead of this summer’s tournament, Nagelsmann intends to go all the way and has named the ‘aura and quality’ that Neuer brings to team as a big part of his optimism.
Manuel Neuer is one of only a handful of players at this World Cup featuring over the age of 40
Germany, as always, are strong contenders for the 2026 World Cup trophy and just like their success 12 years ago in Brazil, Neuer remains a huge part of the way the Germans build up their football from back to front as well as being an incredible shot-stopper.
His eventual retirement from international football will be a huge miss as he is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers to have ever played the game.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Number of World Cups played: 1
First World Cup appearance: Russia vs Egypt, June 19 2018
The Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, will play in his second World Cup tournament after making his debut back in 2018 in Russia. After a turbulent season at club level with Liverpool, Salah will be hoping to end his season on a high with the fifth-highest-ranking African side in the competition.
Salah will captain the Pharaohs against Belgium in their first game of the 2026 World Cup and has stated, ‘we want to make people proud of us, and we will do our utmost.’ The two-times African Player of the Year is aiming for his side to go further than any Egyptian team has gone in the tournament.
Turning 34 in a week’s time, Salah has unfinished business on the world stage. He scored twice in his nation’s campaign in Russia eight years ago but is still yet to taste a victory in the competition. He has been on the losing side twice in both 2017 and 2021 during the African Cup of Nations, but former captain Ahmed Fathi has backed him to ‘achieve something with the Pharaohs at the 2026 World Cup’.
Despite having enjoying a heavily decorated playing career with Liverpool, Mohamed Salah has only featured at one World Cup
‘He always made the difference, and I hope he will do it again in the United States’, Fathi told AFP.
With his move away from Liverpool at the end of this season, there is no denying that this is likely to be Salah’s last involvement in a World Cup. The king of Egypt has brought joy to so many of his admirers throughout his decorated career and is a beacon of pride for many Africans.
James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Number of World Cups played: 3
First World Cup appearance: Colombia vs Greece, June 14 2014
When we talk about the World Cup, it is hard to forget the delicious strike a 22-year-old James Rodriguez scored in Brazil in 2014 in the round of 16 against Uruguay. Brazuca plucked out of the air, controlled on his chest, left-footed volley, crossbar and in. A goal to take your breath away and Rodriguez will always be a part of international folklore because of the magic he provided that night in Rio.
His inclusion in Colombia’s 2026 World Cup squad marks his third global tournament and is considered by many as his last. The 34-year-old departed MLS side Minnesota United so he could focus solely on his preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Rodriguez, together with Bayern Munich’s Luis Diaz, contributed to 17 of Colombia’s 28 goals in World Cup qualifying. He comes alive when playing for Colombia and was named player of the tournament in their 2024 Copa America campaign despite losing by one goal to nil against Argentina in the final.
James Rodriguez burst into international consciousness with his stunning appearance at the World Cup in Brazil 12 years ago
Despite facing many injury problems throughout his career, the Colombian is often viewed as the face of his nation’s football team. Sitting just four assists off Carlos Valderrama’s record, there is no doubt the midfielder will be keen to etch his name into Colombian football history in what will be his final act on the World stage.
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
Number of World Cups played: 1
First World Cup appearance: Belgium vs Algeria, June 17 2014
If you cast your mind back to the 2015-16 Premier League season, Riyad Mahrez is a man who knows the true meaning of defying the odds. An inspiration for many Algerians, Mahrez has remained elegant and dangerous despite his increasing age.
After failing to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup campaigns, Algeria come into this tournament as Africa’s fourth highest rank side. Mahrez will captain his nation as they take on the holders Argentina in their first game. The 35-year-old is undoubtedly the one to watch for his country who have strong ambitions of progressing to the knockout round of the competition.
Riyad Mahrez has scarcely played World Cup football but will enjoy his swansong with Algeria on the biggest stage this summer
He has already made the statement that this World Cup will be his last and in an open training session at the Nelson-Mandela stadium in Baraki, Mahrez and his international teammates saluted the Algerian supporters for the last time before they travelled to North America.
Contributing to 75 goals in 113 appearances, the Al-Ahli winger has been a true servant to his nation. Mahrez will be hoping to leave his mark at this tournament, guiding his team into the knockout stages as they did in 2014 where they were unpicked by Germany. Mahrez has changed the way football is played in Algeria and will undoubtedly go down as one of the most talented African players of all time.
Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE.
