Football Legends Who Could Play Their Final FIFA World Cup in 2026
By Aryan
The **FIFA World Cup 2026** could mark the end of an era for some of football’s biggest names.
With the tournament expanding to **48 teams** and **104 matches**, the 2026 edition will be the largest World Cup in history. It will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico from **June 11 to July 19, 2026**, according to [FIFA](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026). ([FIFA](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
But beyond the bigger format, this World Cup may also be remembered as the final appearance for several modern football icons. Players such as **Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah** are among the stars FIFA has highlighted as possible names heading into their last global tournament. ([FIFA](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/last-dance-star-players?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
**Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal**
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the clearest names on this list because he has already indicated that the 2026 World Cup will be his last.
The Portuguese forward will be 41 during the tournament and is expected to make a record sixth World Cup appearance. Al Jazeera reported that Ronaldo said the 2026 World Cup would “definitely” be his last, as he would be 41 years old by the time the tournament begins. ([Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/11/11/cristiano-ronaldo-says-world-cup-2026-will-be-his-last-before-retirement?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
For Ronaldo, this tournament could be his final chance to win the only major trophy missing from his career: the FIFA World Cup.
**Lionel Messi — Argentina**
Lionel Messi enters the 2026 World Cup as Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning captain and one of the most decorated players in football history.
Reuters reported that the 2026 tournament is set to be Messi’s sixth World Cup appearance, placing him alongside Ronaldo in a rare group of players to reach that milestone. Reuters also noted that Messi already holds the record for most World Cup matches played, with 26 appearances. ([Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/argentinas-lionel-messi-hamstring-could-play-pre-cup-friendly--flm-2026-06-06/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Messi has not framed 2026 in exactly the same confirmed retirement terms as Ronaldo, but at 38 to 39 during the tournament, this could realistically be his final World Cup.
**Luka Modric — Croatia**
Luka Modric has been the heart of Croatia’s golden football era.
The midfielder helped lead Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and a third-place finish in 2022. Reuters reported that Modric, now 40, is expected to make what is likely his final World Cup appearance in 2026 after being named in Croatia’s squad. ([Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/modric-set-likely-final-world-cup-dalic-names-unchanged-croatia-squad-2026-06-01/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
For Croatia fans, Modric’s presence in 2026 is more than just another tournament. It could be the closing chapter of one of the greatest international careers in modern football.
**Robert Lewandowski — Poland**
Robert Lewandowski has been Poland’s main attacking figure for more than a decade.
By the time the 2026 World Cup takes place, he will be 37. While he has not officially announced that this will be his last World Cup, age and tournament cycles make it very possible that 2026 will be his final chance to lead Poland on football’s biggest stage.
Lewandowski has carried Poland through several major tournaments, and the 2026 edition could be his final opportunity to add one more major World Cup moment to his legacy.
**Neymar — Brazil**
Neymar’s World Cup journey has been filled with brilliance, injuries and pressure.
The Brazil star will be 34 during the 2026 tournament. That is not as old as some other names on this list, but given his injury history and the physical demands of top-level football, many fans see 2026 as potentially his final World Cup.
For Brazil, Neymar remains one of the most recognisable attacking players of his generation. If selected and fit, this tournament could be his last major attempt to win the trophy that has long been expected from Brazil’s biggest modern star.
**Mohamed Salah — Egypt**
Mohamed Salah is another global star who could be entering his final World Cup cycle.
FIFA included Salah among the players who could feature at their final global tournament in 2026. ([FIFA](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/last-dance-star-players?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Salah will be in his mid-30s during the tournament, and for Egypt, his presence remains central. If Egypt qualify and Salah plays, the 2026 World Cup would be a major emotional moment for one of Africa’s greatest modern footballers.
**Kevin De Bruyne — Belgium**
Kevin De Bruyne has been one of Belgium’s defining players during its golden generation.
By 2026, the midfielder will be 35, and Belgium’s famous generation has already begun to change. BeIN Sports listed De Bruyne among the stars who could be playing in their last World Cup in 2026. ([beIN SPORTS](https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/fifa-world-cup-2026/articles/the-stars-who-could-play-in-their-last-world-cup-2026-05-18?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
For Belgium, De Bruyne’s creativity, passing and leadership could still be crucial, but this tournament may be his final appearance on the World Cup stage.
**Son Heung-min — South Korea**
Son Heung-min has been South Korea’s most famous footballer for years and one of Asia’s biggest global sports names.
BeIN Sports listed Son among the stars who could play their last World Cup in 2026. ([beIN SPORTS](https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/fifa-world-cup-2026/articles/the-stars-who-could-play-in-their-last-world-cup-2026-05-18?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
By the time the tournament begins, Son will be in his early-to-mid 30s. He may still be capable of playing at a high level, but 2026 could be his final World Cup as South Korea’s central attacking figure.
**Sadio Mane — Senegal**
Sadio Mane has been one of Africa’s biggest football stars, helping Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations and reach major international tournaments.
BeIN Sports has also included Mane among the players who could be approaching their final World Cup. ([beIN SPORTS](https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/fifa-world-cup-2026/articles/the-stars-who-could-play-in-their-last-world-cup-2026-05-18?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
For Senegal, Mane’s experience and leadership remain important. If he features in 2026, it could be one last chance for him to lead his country at the highest global level.
**Manuel Neuer — Germany**
Manuel Neuer is one of the greatest goalkeepers of the modern era.
He will be 40 during the 2026 World Cup. Reports have listed Neuer among the older stars expected to be part of the tournament conversation, and Anadolu Agency reported that he was among players over 40 ready to take the field in 2026. ([Anadolu Ajansı](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/sports/7-players-over-age-of-40-ready-to-take-field-in-2026-fifa-world-cup/3955596?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Goalkeepers can often play longer than outfield players, but even then, 2026 could be Neuer’s final World Cup if he is selected.
**Other names to watch**
Several other veteran players could also be playing their final World Cup, depending on qualification, selection and fitness.
These include **Virgil van Dijk**, **Guillermo Ochoa**, **Edin Dzeko**, **James Rodriguez**, **Riyad Mahrez** and **Harry Kane**. GOAL listed many of these names among veteran stars who could be set for their final World Cup in 2026. ([Goal](https://www.goal.com/en/lists/last-dance-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-veteran-stars-final-world-cup-2026/blt9cad8441d19627ce?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
For some of them, 2030 may still be possible. But for many, 2026 feels like the last realistic chance to perform on the biggest stage.
**Why 2026 feels like “The Last Dance”**
The 2026 World Cup feels special because it brings together two football eras.
On one side, there are legends such as Messi, Ronaldo and Modric, who shaped football for nearly two decades. On the other side, a new generation led by stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal is ready to define the next chapter.
That generational crossover is what makes the 2026 tournament so emotional for football fans.
**Why this matters**
For many fans, the 2026 World Cup may be the final opportunity to watch some of football’s greatest players compete on the global stage.
If this is the last World Cup for Messi, Ronaldo, Modric and other legends, the tournament will not only be remembered for its expanded format and three-country hosting. It will also be remembered as a farewell stage for some of the players who defined modern football.
For UAE football fans watching from home, fan zones or sports venues, this World Cup could feel like more than just another tournament. It could be the end of one of football’s greatest generations.
**Source Credits**
Information source/resource owners: FIFA, Reuters, Al Jazeera, BeIN Sports, GOAL, Anadolu Agency, ESPN.
**Image Credits**
Image credit/resource owners: FIFA, Reuters, Al Jazeera, BeIN Sports, GOAL, Anadolu Agency.