The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be more than just the biggest tournament in football history. With 48 teams, 1,248 players and matches spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico, it could also serve as a farewell stage for some of the greatest footballers the sport has ever seen.
The tournament is expected to feature a record eight players aged 40 or above, surpassing the combined total from all previous 22 World Cup editions. For several veteran stars, the 2026 edition could be their final appearance on football's biggest stage.
Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who will be 43 during the tournament, is expected to be the oldest player at the World Cup. If he takes the field, he would become the second-oldest player to appear in a World Cup match, behind Egypt's Essam El Hadary, who played at the age of 45 in 2018.
Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Guillermo Ochoa and Lionel Messi, other veteran players expected to feature include Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, Germany's Manuel Neuer and Uruguay's Fernando Muslera.
For players such as Messi, Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Neymar and Mohamed Salah, the 2026 World Cup may represent one final opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on the international stage.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Few storylines will attract more attention than the likely sixth World Cup appearances of Messi and Ronaldo. The two superstars have defined an era of football and are expected to become the first players to feature in six FIFA World Cups.
Messi enters the tournament with little left to prove. Argentina's triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar completed an extraordinary career, yet the Inter Miami forward continues to produce moments of brilliance. At nearly 39, questions remain about the physical demands of an expanded tournament, but writing off Messi has rarely ended well.
Ronaldo's motivation is different. The Portuguese captain, now 41, is still chasing the one major trophy that has eluded him throughout his career. Despite Portugal's emerging generation of talent, Ronaldo remains a central figure in Roberto Martinez's plans. A World Cup title would provide the perfect ending to one of football's greatest careers.
Luka Modric
Croatia's Luka Modric is also expected to make his final World Cup appearance. The veteran midfielder has already led his country to a runners-up finish in 2018 and a third-place finish in 2022, cementing his status as one of Croatia's greatest-ever players.
Guillermo Ochoa
Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa could join Messi and Ronaldo in making a sixth World Cup appearance. His expected inclusion adds another nostalgic storyline to a tournament likely to be filled with emotional farewells.
Neymar's final shot?
For Neymar, the road to 2026 has been far from straightforward. A serious ACL injury in 2023 and subsequent fitness struggles led many to believe his international career was nearing its end. However, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti's decision to bring him back into the national team setup has revived hopes of one last World Cup campaign.
The tournament could offer Neymar a final chance to answer critics who believe his international achievements do not fully match his immense talent, despite becoming Brazil's all-time leading scorer.
Mohamed Salah
Egypt's Mohamed Salah faces a similar challenge. Widely regarded as one of Africa's greatest footballers, Salah has yet to enjoy a defining World Cup moment. Injuries hampered his only previous appearance in 2018, making 2026 a potentially career-defining opportunity.
Kevin De Bruyne
Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne also enters the tournament with unfinished business. Injuries have increasingly interrupted his career, but when fully fit, he remains one of the world's most influential midfielders. With Belgium's celebrated "Golden Generation" nearing its end, 2026 could be their last realistic chance to win a major international trophy.
Other stars nearing the end
Several other experienced stars could also be making their final World Cup appearances. Son Heung-min, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, Virgil van Dijk, James Rodriguez and Edin Dzeko are all expected to view the tournament as one final opportunity to shine on football's biggest stage.
While the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises new stars, new nations and a new expanded format, it may ultimately be remembered as the tournament that bid farewell to an extraordinary generation.
For Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Modric and many others, the focus is no longer solely on lifting the trophy. It is about legacy, redemption and one final moment under football's brightest lights.
