By Enitan Abdultawab
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, will promise spectacle, intensity, and history – not only for what will be the first 48-team format, but also because it may be the final World Cup appearance for several legends who have shaped football over the past 15 years.
Their contributions to club and national teams are immeasurable, and 2026 may represent the last chance for them to inspire on the biggest global stage.
Below are ten iconic players likely featuring in their final World Cup:
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Lionel Messi finally cemented his legacy by lifting the 2022 World Cup – a crowning moment after years of heartbreak. Now at Inter Miami, he remains influential with his vision, passing, and playmaking. However, at 39 in 2026, Messi will be far from his physical peak. This tournament would likely serve as a farewell tour for one of football’s greatest ever players – a final opportunity to guide Argentina and inspire younger talents under his mentorship.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo has broken nearly every scoring record available, both internationally and at club level. His longevity and dedication are unmatched, and he remains a goalscoring threat in Saudi Arabia. But at 41 in 2026, this World Cup is almost certainly his last. Ronaldo will aim to end his international journey on a proud note, possibly as a leader and motivational figure more than the dominant force he once was.
Harry Kane (England)
Kane is already England’s all-time top scorer and one of the most intelligent forwards of his generation. His passing range, movement, and finishing remain elite. However, by 2026 he will be 32, and competition from younger English forwards like Ollie Watkins and emerging academy products is rising.
This World Cup could be Kane’s final push to end England’s long wait for glory – the one major title missing in his career.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Salah is a national hero and a global superstar. His success at Liverpool has made him one of the greatest African players of all time. At 34 in 2026, he may still have the quality to influence matches, but Egypt’s inconsistent World Cup participation means this might be his final realistic chance on the biggest stage.
For Salah, 2026 represents both personal legacy and national pride.
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
Van Dijk transformed the Netherlands and Liverpool defenses with leadership, composure, and aerial dominance. However, time is no longer on his side but at 35 in 2026, he still possess the qualities to consistently marshal high-intensity games.
This World Cup would be his last opportunity to guide a talented Dutch generation – including players like De Ligt and Timber before passing the torch.
Luka Modrić (Croatia)
Modrić has defied age longer than almost any midfielder in modern football. The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner led Croatia to a World Cup final and a third-place finish in 2022. But by 2026 he will be 40, and while his football intelligence remains world-class, his physical demands will be harder to sustain. If he plays, it will be a final tribute and a graceful goodbye to one of football’s finest playmakers.
Luis Suárez (Uruguay)
Suárez’s intensity, movement, and clinical finishing defined Uruguay’s golden period. Alongside Cavani and Forlán, he spearheaded one of the most feared international attacks. Now in the twilight of his career and dealing with recurring knee issues and attitude problems, Suárez will likely be a squad leader rather than a guaranteed starter in 2026. This World Cup will mark the end of an unforgettable era in Uruguayan football.
Son Heung-min (South Korea)
Son remains Asia’s most admired football figure due to his consistency and professionalism. His pace, finishing, and leadership inspire both Tottenham and South Korea. However, at 34 by the next World Cup, the physical foundation of his game may begin to fade. 2026 will probably be his final chance to lead South Korea deep into the knockout stages and further elevate Asian football on the world stage.
Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Lewandowski remains a master technician and one of the most complete strikers of the modern era. His professionalism has allowed him to stay sharp into his mid-thirties. But by 2026 he will be 37, and Poland’s next generation is already growing. Even if he makes the squad, 2026 will likely be his final international tournament as the country transitions into a new era.
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Neuer revolutionised goalkeeping and redefined the sweeper-keeper role and setting new standards in distribution and shot-stopping. However, age and injuries have taken a toll. At 40 in 2026, he may appear more for experience and leadership than for every match. This World Cup will stand as a symbolic final bow for a goalkeeper who changed the way the position is understood globally.
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