Cristiano Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last

Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico will likely mark the end of his international career, as per reports.

Speaking at the TUTISE tourism forum in Saudi Arabia, the 39-year-old star reportedly acknowledged that, given he will be 41 by the time of the tournament, it would probably be his final appearance on football’s biggest stage.

Ronaldo reflected on his long career, saying he is focused on enjoying the present rather than worrying about retirement, though he hinted that the next World Cup would likely be his last. He also lightheartedly noted that his definition of soon could still stretch over several years, keeping fans guessing about his exact retirement plans.

If the 2026 World Cup is indeed his final bow, it will represent Ronaldo’s last opportunity to win the one major trophy missing from his remarkable résumé. With Portugal, he has already lifted the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025. However, the World Cup has remained elusive despite his decades-long dominance in world football.