Cristiano Ronaldo has been named to the Portugal national team squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1].
The selection marks a historic milestone in international soccer as Ronaldo becomes the first player to appear in six different World Cup tournaments [1]. This achievement underscores his longevity in a sport where players typically retire from international competition well before the age of 40.
Now 41 years old [2], Ronaldo is preparing for what he believes will be the end of his World Cup career. The forward has acknowledged the physical reality of his age and the likelihood that this tournament will serve as his farewell to the global stage.
"Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old," Ronaldo said regarding the likelihood that this will be his final appearance [2].
FIFA President Gianni Infantino noted the historical weight of the selection. Infantino said Ronaldo’s inclusion breaks the record for the most World Cup appearances in soccer history [3].
The Portuguese forward's presence in the squad provides a veteran leadership core for the national team as they enter the 2026 competition [1]. Despite the record-breaking nature of the selection, the focus for the player remains on the immediate challenge of the tournament, a goal he has pursued throughout his two-decade career.
Becky Anderson, a CNN anchor, said that Ronaldo expects his record sixth World Cup next year to be his last [4]. The announcement comes as the team begins its training cycle to prepare for the upcoming matches [1].
“"Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old."”
Ronaldo's participation in a sixth World Cup establishes a new benchmark for athletic endurance in professional soccer. By competing at the highest level at age 41, he challenges traditional perceptions of aging in sports and ensures his legacy as the most durable presence in the history of the FIFA World Cup.
