The FIFA World Cup 2026 could possibly be the ultimate act for a few of soccer’s most interesting abilities.
Though a few of this match’s gamers will set a males’s soccer document by showing of their sixth World Cup, age is catching up, and different gamers have struggled with accidents.
Really useful Tales
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Al Jazeera takes a take a look at who could be making their remaining bow on the worldwide stage on the match in North America:
Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal
Though health has been one in every of Ronaldo’s largest strengths throughout his illustrious profession, at 41, the Portugal ahead is aware of his taking part in days are numbered.
Numbers have all the time been on the previous Manchester United and Actual Madrid ahead’s aspect, although, and he fired in 30 in 37 matches for Al-Nassr this season, whereas his tally for Portugal presently sits at 143 targets.
The second-oldest participant at this 12 months’s match, solely behind Scotland’s 43-year-old Craig Gordon, Ronaldo heads to his document sixth World Cup, effectively conscious it could possibly be his remaining likelihood to raise the coveted golden trophy: the one one lacking from his glittering cupboard.
Lionel Messi – Argentina
Like Ronaldo, Messi can be off to his document sixth finals look, one the place he’ll lead Argentina’s defence of the title they gained in Qatar 4 years in the past.
Argentina’s all-time main scorer and look holder, Messi, has struggled with injury within the build-up to the match, elevating doubts about whether or not he’ll function in every recreation and if his physique can sustain with the gruelling calls for of an expanded World Cup.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s impression and expertise, nevertheless, are such that, even at 38, he stays the heartbeat of the football-crazy South American nation.
Luka Modric – Croatia
After taking part in a key position in Croatia’s run to the 2018 remaining and a third-place end in 2022, Modric is prepared for his fifth and remaining look on the World Cup. Because the 40-year-old heads to the match after present process cheekbone surgical procedure, the veteran is aware of the crew nonetheless depends closely on him for his playmaking prowess.
The ageing midfielder, additionally the Balkan nation’s captain, nonetheless enjoys a hero’s standing inside a aspect that has usually defied expectations on the worldwide stage. Get pleasure from his magic in midfield earlier than he bows out.
Neymar Jr – Brazil
At 34, Brazil‘s all-time main scorer Neymar is far youthful than Messi or Ronaldo, however not like the 2 greats of the sport, his place within the nationwide crew will not be assured. Neymar’s comeback in the Brazil squad after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus electrified soccer fandom, and solely time will inform whether or not it was a big gamble or a tactical masterclass by coach Carlo Ancelotti.
With a historical past of health points, a sequence of accidents and mounting age (he could be 38 by the 2030 World Cup), what seems to be extra sure is that this could possibly be Neymar’s fourth and remaining act on the match.
Manuel Neuer – Germany
Such is the “aura” of Neuer, as coach Julian Nagelsmann mentioned final month, that the 40-year-old got here out of retirement to be named Germany‘s first-choice goalkeeper for the 2026 World Cup. Again within the squad after practically two years, followers may have a remaining likelihood to see him on the World Cup.
Broadly considered one of many biggest goalkeepers, Neuer has performed at 4 World Cups, most notably having a key position in Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph on Brazilian soil.
Mohamed Salah – Egypt
Arguably Africa’s biggest participant of all time, Salah grew to become a worldwide celebrity on the again of his success at Liverpool, the place he gained 9 trophies. At 33, and not on the peak of his powers, this could possibly be the ahead’s second, and presumably remaining, World Cup.
An underwhelming season and his subsequent departure from Liverpool could have tempered expectations. But Egyptians proceed to position their religion of their beloved quantity 10, hoping he can encourage the nation and assist ship one thing it has by no means skilled earlier than: the enjoyment of celebrating a World Cup victory.
Kevin de Bruyne – Belgium
A giant a part of Belgium’s “golden technology” between 2014 and 2022, playmaker De Bruyne continues to flourish in his duties for membership and nation. Age, nevertheless, is beginning to meet up with the playmaker, who turns 35 later this month.
The Napoli midfielder’s efficiency is central to Belgium’s odds of a deep run on the 2026 World Cup, and he will probably be wanting to drive them to a memorable end in what will probably be his fourth and presumably remaining look on the match.
Virgil van Dijk – Netherlands
Skilled centre-back van Dijk will not be fairly the pressure he was just a few years in the past, when he gained the Champions League and Premier League in back-to-back seasons with Liverpool.
The Netherlands captain turns 35 subsequent month, and the Dutch might transfer on with a youthful defensive core by the point the 2030 version comes round.
After reaching the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals and Euro 2024 semifinals, van Dijk will hope to take the crew one step additional in what will probably be his third finals.
Sadio Mane – Senegal
Broadly considered one of many world’s finest wingers, Mane heads to the World Cup in search of to make up for the disappointing leg harm that denied him a shot at Qatar 2022.
At 34, the Senegal worldwide is much from the height of his profession, which noticed him take pleasure in trophy-laden spells at Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
Regardless of his mounting age, Mane stays the crew’s supply of inspiration and creativity, and he was an integral a part of the aspect that beat Morocco within the Africa Cup of Nations remaining – just for the outcome to be overturned as a result of Senegal’s mid-game protest.
Mane will function in his third, and sure remaining, World Cup, on condition that the Teranga Lion has mentioned the final AFCON was his final, though the teaching crew have mentioned they haven’t given up on altering his thoughts.
Guillermo Ochoa – Mexico
A part of an esteemed group which incorporates Messi and Ronaldo, Ochoa can be set to play at a document sixth World Cup. The goalkeeper, who will flip 41 subsequent month, had not been a part of the nationwide squad in recent times, however was picked for the match, which is being co-hosted by his nation, Mexico.
Identified for being a formidable determine in Mexico’s earlier World Cup campaigns, Ochoa will retire on the finish of the crew’s run on the match.
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11. You possibly can comply with the motion on Al Jazeera’s devoted World Cup 2026 web page with all the most recent information, match build-up and stay textual content commentary, and preserve updated with group standings, real-time match outcomes and schedules.
