Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are among the superstars who could make their World Cup swansongs in 2026, with the likelihood of many players hanging up their international boots for good after the tournament.
The likes of Luka Modric and James Rodriguez are also approaching the end of their careers as national teams brace themselves to lose some of their best and most storied footballers.
Here, BOYLE Sports looks at 10 greats who are set to grace the biggest stage for the final time in North America next summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Age by the end of the 2026 World Cup: 41
World Cups played: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Portugal’s captain has announced 2026 will be his sixth and final World Cup, and, thanks to a FIFA ruling which means he will avoid serving his existing ban at the tournament, the Al-Nassr forward is set to get at least the group stage to add to his record-breaking haul of caps and goals for his country. Ronaldo will also get the opportunity to push for the only major prize missing from his glittering collection, having never progressed further than the semi-final appearance he made in his first World Cup almost 20 years ago.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Age by the end of the 2026 World Cup: 39
World Cups played: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Messi, who has retired before and returned, has yet to announce if he will be part of Argentina’s title defence, but, if fit, you’d imagine he would relish the chance to add to his World Cup record tally of 26 matches at what would be his sixth finals. The Inter Miami forward’s body may be slowing down, but his brain isn’t, and the opportunity to play on familiar soil in the USA should appeal. Messi, the only player to win two Golden Balls following his successes in 2014 and 2022, also needs four more goals to break Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup record of 16.
Luka Modric (Croatia)
Luka Modric (Croatia)
Age by the end of the 2026 World Cup: 40
World Cups played: 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022
Another player likely to go down as the best in his country’s history, Modric is closing in on 200 appearances for Croatia and was the linchpin of the squad that finished World Cup runners-up in 2018 - when he was named player of the tournament - and third in 2022. The AC Milan playmaker deserves to go out on a high, and he is not the only Croatia stalwart approaching the end, with Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, and Mateo Kovacic all 32 or older come the finals.
Neymar (Brazil)
Neymar (Brazil)
Age by the end of the 2026 World Cup: 34
World Cups played: 2014, 2018, 2022
Brazil fans and neutrals would love to see Neymar sprinkle his stardust at one more World Cup, especially as the five-time champions, shorn of their record goalscorer’s services due to injury, struggled in qualifying, where they finished fifth in the CONMEBOL section. But fitness issues could wreck the opportunity for Neymar to add to his eight finals goals next summer. The Santos hero has yet to play under new Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti and has not represented the Selecao since 2023. His participation next summer - let alone beyond - must have a big asterisk next to it.
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
Age by the end of the 2026 World Cup: 35
World Cups played: 2014, 2018, 2022
De Bruyne is arguably the biggest name of Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ who could sign off at the 2026 World Cup, but he is in no way the only one, with Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Axel Witsel and Thomas Meunier also in their mid-30s. KDB is still showing his class at Napoli, but the injuries have been mounting up, and it remains to be seen how long the midfield maestro can continue at the highest level, even if he wants to.
Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
Age by the end of the 2026 World Cup: 35
World Cups played: 2022
The Netherlands are well-stocked at centre-back, but captain Van Dijk still towers above his counterparts, both physically and in terms of importance to the team. The Dutch are the only nation to reach three World Cup finals without being crowned champions, but, having made at least the quarter-finals in 2010, 2014 and 2022 as well as qualifying unbeaten for 2026, Ronald Koeman’s Oranje are set to be among the favourites and Van Dijk could sign off by becoming the first Dutchman to hold the trophy aloft.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane (England)
Age by the end of the 2026 World Cup: 32
World Cups played: 2018, 2022
The youngest player on this list, 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner Kane, looks refreshed and revitalised this season and is arguably in the best form of his career. But while speed of foot has never been his key asset, England’s record marksman will be almost 37 by the time the 2030 World Cup comes around and could have decided enough is enough by then, especially if he leads the Three Lions to their holy grail at the MetLife Stadium next July 19.
Son Heung-Min
Son Heung-Min (South Korea)
Age by the end of the 2026 World Cup: 34
World Cups played: 2014, 2018, 2022
Son may have swapped the Premier League for the less-demanding MLS, but the Los Angeles FC ace remains a potent attacking threat, and only Norway’s Erling Haaland and Almoez Ali of Qatar scored more goals in World Cup qualifying than the former Spurs hitman’s 10. Son already holds the record for most appearances for South Korea and should overhaul leading goalscorer Cha Bum-kun’s tally of 58 as well before he hands over to the next generation.
Mohamed Salah (
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Age by the end of the 2026 World Cup: 34
World Cups played: 2018
Salah has only appeared in one World Cup due to Egypt’s failure to qualify for seven of the last eight editions, but the Pharaohs will be back in 2026, and the prolific Liverpool wideman will be eager to add to the two goals he notched at Russia 2018. The two-time African Footballer of the Year struck nine times in qualifying and looks on course to replace Hossam Hassan as Egypt’s record scorer over the next 12 months, and it would be fitting if he achieved it in possibly his final World Cup.
James Rodriguez
James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Age by the end of the 2026 World Cup: 35
World Cups played: 2014, 2018
Colombia could see their two most-capped players, Rodriguez and ex-Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, competing in their final World Cups next year. Former Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Everton forward Rodriguez - second only to Radamel Falcao in his nation’s scoring charts - created one of the enduring World Cup memories with his stunning 25-yard left-footed volley against Uruguay in 2014. That won the Puskas Award for goal of the tournament and also helped Rodriguez claim the Golden Boot, finishing with six goals.
A number of other notable names could make their final World Cup appearances next year as well, including Nicolas Otamendi, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, Dani Carvajal, Granit Xhaka, Guillermo Ochoa, Raul Jimenez, Yuto Nagatomo and, if Poland qualify, Robert Lewandowski.
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