The 2026 FIFA World Cup could be the final curtain for some of soccer’s greatest talents.
Some of the players in this tournament are setting men’s soccer records in their sixth World Cup appearance, but others are getting older and struggling with injuries.
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Al Jazeera looks at who will take their final bow on the world stage at the North American Games.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal
Fitness has been one of Ronaldo’s greatest strengths during his illustrious career, but the 41-year-old Portuguese forward knows his days are numbered.
But the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward has always had an eye on the numbers, having scored 30 goals in 37 games for Al Nasr this season and now has 143 goals for Portugal.
Ronaldo, the second-oldest player in this year’s tournament after Scotland’s 43-year-old Craig Gordon, heads into his record sixth World Cup knowing full well it could be his last chance to lift the coveted golden trophy, the only thing missing from his glittering cabinet.
Lionel Messi – Argentina
Like Ronaldo, Messi will be heading to a record sixth final appearance and will lead Argentina’s defense of the title they held four years ago in Qatar.
Messi, Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and capped player, has struggled with injuries in the run-up to the tournament, raising questions about whether he will feature in each match and whether his body can keep up with the demanding demands of an expanded World Cup.
But even at 38, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s influence and talent continues to be the heartbeat of South America’s football-crazed nation.
Luka Modric – Croatia
Modric, who played a key role in Croatia’s run to the finals in 2018 and third-place finish in 2022, is gearing up for his fifth and final World Cup appearance. The 40-year-old enters the tournament after undergoing cheekbone surgery, but the veteran knows the team still relies heavily on his playmaking ability.
The aging midfielder, who is also Balkan national team captain, still enjoys hero status in a team that has often disappointed on the world stage. Enjoy his magic in midfield before he leaves.
Neymar Jr – Brazil
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, is 34 years old, much younger than Messi and Ronaldo, but unlike the two greats of the game, he is not guaranteed a place in the national team. Neymar’s return to Brazil’s national team after two-and-a-half years has excited football fans, but only time will tell whether it was a gamble or a tactical masterclass from manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Having experienced fitness issues, repeated injuries and increasing age (he will be 38 by the 2030 World Cup), what seems more certain is that this could be Neymar’s fourth and final performance in this tournament.
Manuel Neuer – Germany
Such is Neuer’s “aura”, as coach Julian Nagelsmann said last month, that the 40-year-old has come out of retirement to be Germany’s first choice goalkeeper for the 2026 World Cup. He will be returning to the team for the first time in almost two years, but fans will have their last chance to see him at the World Cup.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Neuer has appeared in four World Cups, most notably playing a key role in Germany’s victory at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Mohamed Salah – Egypt
Arguably Africa’s greatest ever player, Salah became a global superstar on the back of his success with Liverpool, winning nine trophies. At 33 years old, this could be the second and possibly last World Cup for the forward, who is no longer in his prime.
An underwhelming season and subsequent departure from Liverpool may have dampened expectations. But Egyptians continue to put their faith in their beloved No. 10, hoping that he can inspire the country and bring them something they have never experienced before: the joy of celebrating a World Cup victory.
Kevin De Bruyne – Belgium
Playmaker De Bruyne, who was a big part of Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ from 2014 to 2022, continues to excel in his duties for club and country. However, age is starting to catch up with the playmaker, who turns 35 later this month.
The Napoli midfielder’s performances are central to Belgium’s odds of advancing to the top of the 2026 World Cup, and he will be keen to lead them to a memorable finish in his fourth and likely final appearance in the competition.
Virgil van Dijk – Netherlands
Van Dijk, an experienced centre-back, is not as strong as he was a few years ago when he won back-to-back Champions Leagues and Premier Leagues with Liverpool.
The Dutch captain turns 35 next month, but the Netherlands could be moving on with a young defensive core by the time the 2030 tournament arrives.
Van Dijk, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and the semi-finals of Euro 2024, is hoping to take his team one step further in their third final.
Sadio Mane – Senegal
Mane, widely regarded as one of the world’s best wingers, heads to the World Cup to recover from a foot injury that ruled him out of Qatar 2022.
The 34-year-old Senegal international is far from the peak of his trophy-laden career with Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
Despite his advancing age, Mane remains a source of inspiration and creativity for the team, and was an integral part of the team that defeated Morocco in the African Cup of Nations final, although a protest from Senegal midway through the match overturned the result.
This will be Mane’s third and possibly final World Cup appearance, considering the Teranga Lions said the last AFCON would be their last, but the coaching team insists they have not given up on changing their minds.
Guillermo Ochoa – Mexico
Ochoa, part of a respected group that includes Messi and Ronaldo, will also play in a record sixth World Cup. The goalkeeper, who turns 41 next month, has not been featured in the national team in recent years but was selected for the competition, which is co-hosted with his native Mexico.
Ochoa, who was known as a formidable figure during Mexico’s previous World Cup campaigns, will retire after this tournament.
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11th. Check out Al Jazeera’s dedicated 2026 World Cup page for all the latest news, match progress and live text commentary, and stay up to date with group standings, real-time results and schedules.
