Ronaldo to Neymar: Players who have made their last World Cup appearance | FIFA World Cup 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered not only for Spain’s dramatic triumph over Argentina in the final but also as the tournament that signalled the end of an era. As football prepares for the next World Cup in 2030, several players who shaped the modern game have bid farewell to the sport’s biggest stage.

Four of the game’s biggest names — Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Manuel Neuer and Guillermo Ochoa — have either confirmed that the tournament was their last World Cup or announced the end of their international careers following their teams’ elimination.

While big names such as Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne, Virgil van Dijk and many others have not yet announced the end of their journeys, given the age they will be at the time of the 2030 World Cup, they have likely graced the World Cup stage for the final time.

In this article, we take a look at players who have already confirmed their final World Cup appearances, as well as players who are likely to have played their last World Cup match. But which players have made the list? Take a look.

Players who made their final World Cup appearance:

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of lifting the FIFA World Cup ended in Dallas after Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16. Moments after the defeat, the 41-year-old confirmed that the 2026 edition had been his final World Cup, ending months of speculation over whether he would attempt one final campaign in 2030.

“I go with a clear conscience,” Ronaldo said after the match, adding that he had given everything for Portugal and was proud of the nation’s achievements during his international career.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career at a glance

Neymar Jr (Brazil)

Neymar’s emotional international career came to an end after Brazil’s shock 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16. The forward, who had battled injuries for nearly three years before making the squad, announced his retirement from international football moments after the loss.

“It is now over,” Neymar said after Brazil’s elimination, confirming that the World Cup had been his final appearance for the Seleção.

Neymar Jr’s international career at a glance

Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Manuel Neuer’s remarkable international journey concluded after Germany’s penalty-shootout defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 32. Following the match, the 40-year-old confirmed that it had been his final appearance for the national team, bringing an end to one of the greatest goalkeeping careers in football history.

Manuel Neuer’s international career at a glance

Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico)

Guillermo Ochoa became one of only a handful of players to appear at six FIFA World Cups when he represented Mexico in 2026. The veteran goalkeeper later confirmed that the tournament would be his final appearance on football’s biggest stage, ending one of the longest World Cup careers in history.

Guillermo Ochoa’s international career at a glance

Players who have likely played their last World Cup match

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi came within one victory of ending his World Cup career on the highest note before Spain edged Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final. At 39, the Argentine captain produced another memorable campaign, guiding the defending champions to back-to-back finals.

Although Messi has not announced his retirement from international football, he admitted after the final that he would take time before making a decision on his future. By the time the next World Cup arrives in 2030, he will be 43, making another appearance highly unlikely.

Lionel Messi’s international career at a glance

Luka Modrić (Croatia)

Luka Modrić once again carried Croatia’s midfield at the age of 40, but the Vatreni were eliminated by Portugal in the Round of 32. Although the Ballon d’Or winner has not announced his retirement, he will be 44 during the 2030 World Cup, making another appearance improbable.

Luka Modrić’s international career at a glance

Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

Belgium once again fell short of ending their wait for a major international trophy despite reaching the quarter-finals. Kevin De Bruyne, who turned 35 during the tournament, continued to orchestrate Belgium’s midfield but could not prevent a 2-1 defeat to eventual champions Spain.

While he has made no retirement announcement, De Bruyne will be 39 in 2030.

Kevin De Bruyne’s international career at a glance

Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)

Virgil van Dijk captained the Netherlands for a third consecutive World Cup, but the Oranje bowed out to Morocco in the Round of 32 after a penalty shootout. At 35, the defender remains one of football’s elite centre-backs, but another World Cup appearance at 39 appears a long shot.

Virgil van Dijk’s international career at a glance

Casemiro (Brazil)

Casemiro returned to Brazil’s World Cup squad after missing parts of the previous international cycle, but the five-time champions’ campaign ended in disappointment against Norway in the Round of 16. By 2030, the midfielder will be 38, and Brazil are expected to transition towards a younger core.

Casemiro’s international career at a glance

Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Mohamed Salah finally returned to football’s biggest stage after Egypt qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament. However, Egypt were eliminated in the group stage despite Salah’s efforts. At 34, he will be 38 in 2030.

Mohamed Salah’s international career at a glance

Vozinha (Cape Verde)

Cape Verde’s historic World Cup debut owed much to veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, who captained the side during their maiden appearance. At 40, the goalkeeper inspired one of the tournament’s biggest underdog stories before Cape Verde were edged out by Argentina in the Round of 32.

Vozinha’s international career at a glance

The changing of the guard

Whether or not Lionel Messi, Luka Modrić, Kevin De Bruyne, Virgil van Dijk, Casemiro, Mohamed Salah and Vozinha officially retire from international football, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is likely to be remembered as their final appearance on the biggest stage.

Along with the confirmed farewells of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Manuel Neuer and Guillermo Ochoa, their departures signal the end of one of football’s greatest generations.

The spotlight now shifts to a new wave of stars led by Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Florian Wirtz and Pedri, who are expected to define the road to the 2030 FIFA World Cup.