The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching its concluding stages, with only a handful of matches remaining before the knockout rounds are completed.

The Round of 16 begins this weekend, with more teams set to bow out before the competition moves into the quarter-finals, semi-finals and, ultimately, the grand finale, where the best two of the 32 participating nations will battle for football’s biggest prize.

As the tournament nears its end, it could also mark the final World Cup appearance for several legendary players, many of whom may choose to retire from international football before the next edition in 2030 due to age and fitness concerns.

Here are 10 football stars who are most likely making their final appearance on the world’s biggest football stage.

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Best finish: Winner (2022)

Messi’s decision not to retire from international football after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 speaks volumes about his passion for the game.

Now 39, he continues to rewrite the record books. No player has scored more goals in World Cup history than Messi’s 19, while he has also registered eight assists.

He has scored in seven consecutive World Cup matches.

Messi won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player in 2014 despite Argentina’s final defeat to Germany, and claimed the award again in 2022 after inspiring his country to its first World Cup title since 1986.

This is his sixth World Cup appearance, matching longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the only outfield players to reach that milestone. His next match will be his 30th World Cup appearance for Argentina, adding to a career that has already surpassed 200 international caps.

It would be a surprise to see him return for the 2030 tournament.

2. Luka Modric (Croatia) – Best finish: Runners-up (2018)

 

At 40 years and 291 days, Modric recently became the oldest player to register an assist at a World Cup.

“He plays as if he were 20 years old. He was incredible. He’s our leader and our best player,” Croatia teammate Petar Sucic said.

Modric has been the driving force behind Croatia’s remarkable success, leading the nation to the 2018 final before helping them finish third in 2022.

Only five players have made more World Cup appearances than Modric’s 22 across five tournaments. He made his World Cup debut in 2006 and has earned more than 200 international caps.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – Best finish: Semi-finals (2006)

The FIFA World Cup remains the one major trophy missing from Ronaldo’s glittering career.

The 41-year-old holds the records for the most international appearances (231) and goals (145), having made his Portugal debut in 2003.

Although he guided Portugal to the UEFA European Championship title in 2016, he has never surpassed the semi-final finish achieved during his first World Cup in 2006.

Ronaldo has scored 10 goals in 25 World Cup appearances and became the first player to score at six different World Cups.

He knows this is likely his final opportunity to lift football’s biggest trophy.

4. Manuel Neuer (Germany) – Best finish: Winner (2014)

Despite inconsistent performances in recent weeks, Neuer remains one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history.

The 40-year-old returned from international retirement at the request of Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.

A World Cup winner and Golden Glove recipient in 2014, Neuer is making his fifth World Cup appearance and has represented Germany 23 times at the finals since making his debut in 2010.

Although Germany’s disappointing exit in the last 32 may have overshadowed this tournament, Neuer’s legacy as one of the game’s finest goalkeepers is already secure.

5. Neymar (Brazil) – Best finish: Semi-finals (2014)

Neymar’s World Cup story has largely been defined by heartbreak.

At the 2014 tournament on home soil, the then 22-year-old scored four goals before suffering a serious back injury in the quarter-finals. Brazil went on to lose 7-1 to Germany in the semi-finals.

He scored twice at both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, but Brazil exited in the quarter-finals on each occasion.

Now 34, and having battled injuries in recent years, Neymar still dreams of winning the World Cup with Brazil.

He has contributed eight goals and four assists in 14 World Cup appearances.

6. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) – Best finish: Semi-finals (2018)

De Bruyne was a key figure in Belgium’s so-called Golden Generation, which fell short of winning a major tournament.

Belgium reached the quarter-finals in 2014, the semi-finals in 2018 and exited in the group stage in 2022.

Now 35, De Bruyne is playing in his fourth World Cup, recording goals in three different tournaments while contributing four assists in 16 appearances.

7. Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) – Best finish: Quarter-finals (2022)

Van Dijk has made only eight World Cup appearances, largely because the Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament.

He captained the Dutch side in 2022, where they were eliminated on penalties by eventual champions Argentina in the quarter-finals.

This year, he scored in the tournament but the Netherlands bowed out after a penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in the last 32.

At 34, this may well be his final World Cup.

8. Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – Best finish: Last 32 (2026)

 

Salah inspired Egypt to their first World Cup victory since 1934 with a goal and an assist against New Zealand.

The 34-year-old is playing at his second World Cup after previously featuring in Russia 2018, where he scored twice despite Egypt losing all three group matches.

He has now recorded three goals and two assists in five World Cup games.

Egypt’s clash with Australia offers Salah the chance to guide his nation into the Round of 16, where a meeting with Lionel Messi’s Argentina could await.

9. Son Heung-min (South Korea) – Best finish: Last 16 (2022)

Son is South Korea’s leading World Cup goalscorer with three goals and has made a national record 13 appearances at the tournament.

However, this edition ended in disappointment as South Korea failed to progress, while Son endured a difficult tournament without a goal or assist and was dropped for the final group match.

Having featured at four World Cups, the 33-year-old may find it difficult to remain at the highest level by 2030.

10. Sadio Mane (Senegal) – Best finish: Last 16 (2022)

Mane has played a crucial role in Senegal’s return to the World Cup, helping the Lions of Teranga qualify for the last three editions.

The 34-year-old scored his only World Cup goal in 2018 before missing the 2022 tournament through injury after netting the decisive penalty that secured qualification.

Senegal narrowly missed out on a place in the Round of 16 after losing to Belgium, and with the next World Cup four years away, this could well mark Mane’s final appearance on football’s biggest stage.