2026 FIFA World Cup: A Historic Tournament and the Potential Farewell for Football Legends

The 2026 World Cup will be a historic tournament, different from any previous World Cup. For the first time, 48 teams will participate, and it will be held in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This competition is certain to bring the biggest excitement in the nearly 100-year history of the World Cup. However, for a generation of players who have been at the top of football for nearly two decades, this will be their final journey. Many great players will bid farewell. For them, 2026 will offer the last chance to win football's biggest title. Some will leave as champions, while others will fail. But they will leave such a huge void on the international stage that new generations of talent will not be able to fill it immediately. Lionel Messi (Argentina) Lionel Messi is nearing 39 years old. Although he has said some ambiguous things, it is certain that he will play in the World Cup for a record sixth time. The best player in football history fulfilled his unfinished dream by leading Argentina to the title by defeating France in the 2022 final. After that, Messi moved away from European football to Inter Miami in America. The MLS league there is less pressurized but equally entertaining, where he is taking good care of his body. He has not stopped representing his country. He is creating goals and opportunities in a way that other players his age cannot even imagine. The question remains how this Argentine magician will cope with the intense heat in North America and the new format of the competition. But it would be foolish to think Messi will retire quietly. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) At 41 years old, if Portugal wins the title this time, Cristiano Ronaldo will become the oldest player to lift the World Cup trophy. Unlike Messi, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo has not yet won this title. His performance in the World Cup has been weaker than his greatness, as he has not even scored in the knockout stages. A player of Ronaldo's age should not be able to play at such a high level. But he is still scoring consistently for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and says he has no plans to retire immediately. There is no shortage of talented players in the Portuguese team. Players like Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto, and Gonçalo Ramos are ready to advance their international careers. Nevertheless, head coach Roberto Martinez has kept Ronaldo at the center of the team with the goal of winning the country's first World Cup. For 'CR Seven', who is about to play his sixth World Cup, this is definitely the last chance to become a world champion. Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) This time, along with Messi and Ronaldo, there is a third player who will play in his sixth World Cup. However, Guillermo Ochoa's participation was quite uncertain. The legendary goalkeeper, who has played over 150 games for Mexico, has played only one game for the national team since the CONCACAF Nations League final in March 2024. He was not expected to be in Javier Aguirre's squad. But after the first-choice goalkeeper Ángel Malagón was injured in March, the path opened for the 40-year-old Ochoa to return to the host nation's squad. In his long career, Ochoa has played club football in Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, and Belgium. Last season, he spent time at AEL Limassol in Cyprus. He has already signaled his retirement after the World Cup. With this, the career of this player, who has been a major part of the World Cup for the past two decades, will end. Manuel Neuer (Germany) Ochoa is not the only legendary goalkeeper who has unexpectedly made it into the squad. Marc-André ter Stegen has been plagued by injuries for the past two years, and there are doubts about the form of another potential goalkeeper, Oliver Baumann. Because of this, Germany's coach Julian Nagelsmann has made the bold decision to recall Manuel Neuer from international retirement. Neuer was among many German players who were going to retire after hosting Euro 2024. However, after an excellent performance for Bayern Munich, he has agreed to play in his fifth World Cup at the age of 40. Nagelsmann has confirmed that Neuer will be his first-choice goalkeeper in North America. Germany is trying to avoid the fate of being eliminated from the group stage for the third consecutive time. Luka Modrić (Croatia) Another 40-year-old player, Luka Modrić, is the second oldest outfield player (excluding goalkeepers) in this World Cup after Ronaldo. He wants to add the final chapter to his historic career with this tournament. This midfield magician led Croatia to their first-ever final in 2018, where they lost to France. Modrić also played a key role when Croatia secured third place in 2022. After leaving Real Madrid, Modrić joined AC Milan last season to maintain his form. Now he will take the field to play in his fifth World Cup. He will become the fourth player to play 200 international matches. That is, if Messi does not surpass him. Currently, Messi has 198 and Modrić has 197 caps. Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Unlike Messi, Ronaldo, and Modrić, it would be no surprise if Edin Džeko thought his World Cup journey was over. Since participating only once in the 2014 World Cup, Bosnia and Herzegovina had been struggling to qualify for major tournaments. However, Džeko inspired his countrymen one last time, and after defeating Italy in the UEFA playoffs, he will take the field in North America at the age of 40. Džeko, who is about to complete 150 games for his country and has scored over 70 goals, has proven that he can still score consistently since joining Schalke in January. He helped the club get promoted back to the Bundesliga. The former Manchester City and Inter Milan striker has not had the opportunity to play in many tournaments commensurate with his talent. Therefore, it will be a pleasure for him to bid farewell from the world's biggest stage. Son Heung-min (South Korea) Many teams are likely to bid farewell to their best players in this World Cup. If Son Heung-min decides not to continue his international career after 2026, South Korea will also be on that list. Son, who will turn 34 in July, still has some time compared to other players. However, being the captain of a country with an extreme passion for football team success and fulfilling their expectations is very challenging. This Tottenham legend, who has left European football and moved to MLS club LAFC, may feel that he has contributed as much as he can for Korea by the end of the tournament. Mohamed Salah (Egypt) Just a few days older than Son and the best player in his country's football history, Mohamed Salah has been carrying the Egyptian team alone for years. This time, he has some support with Omar Marmoush of Manchester City leading the team. Although his form at Liverpool has declined in the last 12 months, Egypt will once again look to Salah for inspiration in North America. Salah will surely have more hunger and passion. Especially his only World Cup appearance in 2018 was somewhat affected by a shoulder injury sustained in the Champions League final that year. A player of his caliber needs to perform exceptionally in a world-class tournament to further strengthen his legacy. With the possibility of moving to Saudi Arabia after leaving Liverpool, it is certain that he will take a break from his career in the coming years. Therefore, it is a bit imaginative to think that he will continue his international career even after this World Cup. Sadio Mané (Senegal) Sadio Mané has played a significant role in Senegal's success over the last decade. For the forward, who will turn 34 before the World Cup, this may be the last opportunity to lead his country to the World Cup. The former winger for Liverpool and Bayern Munich scored the penalty that gave his country their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 2021. He has led the 'Lions of Teranga' to consecutive World Cup appearances. However, he missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury. Since joining Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, European fans have seen little of him. But he is always dedicated to his country and serves as captain. With excellent talents like Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye emerging in the team, Mané's leadership and experience could be exactly what Senegal needs to go far in 2026. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) Completing the list of three African players to win the Champions League and Premier League, Riyad Mahrez is one of the most talented players of his generation to emerge from the African continent. Even at 35, Mahrez's amazing dribbling and impressive first touch still amaze fans and colleagues. Few would disagree that he deserves a spectacular farewell from the international stage. It is surprising that a talented player like Mahrez has only played in one World Cup so far. He played in the 2014 Brazil World Cup, and since then, Algeria has not been able to qualify for the World Cup. Currently in the final stage of his career playing for Saudi club Al-Ahli, this World Cup offers Mahrez an opportunity to showcase his talent on the global stage. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) Kevin De Bruyne, Mahrez's former Manchester City teammate, has struggled with injuries in his first season after leaving the Etihad Stadium for Napoli. The midfielder, who will celebrate his 35th birthday at the end of this month, fears his body may not support him. When fully fit, De Bruyne is one of the best playmakers in world football. As the last members of Belgium's famed 'Golden Generation' seek a title, he believes he can inspire his country one last time. The team may be in a phase of transition under Rudi Garcia, but De Bruyne remains the key player who can break through opposing defenses with excellent passes or score spectacular goals from afar. If he can stay healthy, Belgium could emerge as a 'dark horse' in this World Cup. Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) Virgil van Dijk has only gotten better with age. Although he will turn 35 during the World Cup, there is no doubt that he will play a significant role in the Netherlands' journey this time. This legendary defender is the main reason Liverpool is one of Europe's most formidable teams. Some opposing strikers try to avoid playing against Van Dijk, fearing embarrassment if they go 'one-on-one' with him on the field. Admittedly, last season was not the best for Van Dijk. There are fears that the captain's pace at Liverpool has slowed, and his defensive awareness is not what it used to be. Therefore, Dutch fans will likely hope that their captain regains his old form in his second and possibly final World Cup. James Rodríguez (Colombia) James Rodríguez, the star of the 2014 World Cup, will turn 35 in July. But for Colombian fans, his presence in North America is indispensable. Twelve years ago, he surprised the world with the most prestigious individual performance, which led to his move to Real Madrid. However, in the years that followed, he struggled to maintain his physical fitness. His career has been so affected by injuries that he has chosen to spend short periods at various clubs to stay in rhythm. Recently, he was with Minnesota United in the MLS. He has saved his best performances only for national team games. Rodríguez's career owes a debt to the World Cup. Therefore, it feels appropriate for him, one of the most talked-about faces of the World Cup, to write his final chapter on this grand stage. Neymar (Brazil) Neymar and the 2026 World Cup: it has already been a long journey, and Brazil won't even start playing until next week! Brazil's all-time top scorer has not played any international matches since tearing his ACL (knee ligament) in October 2023. With coach Carlo Ancelotti ignoring him since taking charge in September, Neymar's hope of playing his last World Cup seemed over. However, after some of Brazil's forwards were injured, Ancelotti gave Neymar a last-minute opportunity. Supporters celebrated wildly when he included the Santos attacker in the 26-man squad. The role of the 34-year-old player in North America depends on how Ancelotti views him. However, having been injured again just a few days after being called up to the national team, he will first have to prove his fitness. It is clear that Neymar's body is not supporting him. It is pure fantasy to think he will be in a position to play in the 2030 World Cup. Therefore, this is his last chance to lead Brazil to their long-awaited sixth World Cup title. Harry Kane (England) Harry Kane is perhaps at his peak form. Even at 32, he is proving to be one of the most dangerous finishers in Europe. Last season, he scored over 60 goals for Bayern Munich and stands alone as England's all-time top scorer. Therefore, there is a possibility that Kane could play until the 2030 World Cup. Given the lower level of players in his backup, England fans would also want this to happen. However, England is co-hosting the European Championship in 2028. That tournament could be the right opportunity for Kane to hang up his international career. It could also be the last World Cup for players like Jordan Pickford, John Stones, and Marcus Rashford. Goal.com