Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić are expected to conclude their FIFA World Cup careers during the 2026 tournament [1].
The potential retirement of these athletes marks the end of an era for international football. As some of the most decorated players in history, their departure signals a transition toward a new generation of global superstars.
The 2026 event is scheduled to take place across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico [2]. This iteration of the tournament features an expanded format, including 48 teams [3]. With the increase in participants, the total number of players competing in the event will reach 1,248 [3].
Both Ronaldo and Modrić are in the latter stages of their international careers [1]. The tournament serves as their final opportunity to compete on the sport's biggest stage. While their roles within their respective national teams have evolved, the 2026 World Cup represents a definitive closing chapter for their competitive journeys.
Reports regarding other stars vary. A video from WION said Neymar is also bidding farewell to the World Cup [1]. However, other reporting focusing on the final appearances of Messi, Ronaldo, and Modrić did not include Neymar in those retirement expectations [1].
The expanded scale of the tournament may provide different physical demands for aging veterans. The logistics of hosting across three North American nations introduce unique travel and recovery challenges, factors that often influence the decision of older players to retire from international duty.
“The 2026 World Cup represents a definitive closing chapter for their competitive journeys.”
The transition of these players into retirement coincides with FIFA's shift toward a larger, more inclusive tournament structure. By expanding to 48 teams, the World Cup is increasing its global footprint just as the players who defined the previous two decades of the sport exit the stage, creating a symbolic bridge between the traditional era of dominance and a more diversified international landscape.
