Will Cristiano Ronaldo play at the 2026 World Cup?

Cristiano Ronaldo Confirms 2026 World Cup Will Be His Last

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has officially confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark his final appearance on the global stage, signaling the nearing end of one of the most extraordinary careers in sporting history.

The 40-year-old Portuguese superstar made the announcement during an interview at the Tourism Summit in Riyadh, where he also hinted at retiring from professional football within the next “one or two years.”

When asked if the 2026 tournament set to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States would be his last, Ronaldo responded:

“Yes, definitely. I’ll be 41 then, and I believe that will be the right time to step away from the big competitions.”

Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, remains the highest-scoring men’s international player of all time, with 143 goals for Portugal. Across his club and national team career, he has scored an astounding 953 goals and continues to chase his long-standing ambition of reaching 1,000 career goals before retirement.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has played for giants like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, admitted that the end of his playing journey is now close.

“To be realistic, when I say soon, it means probably one or two more years in the game,” he noted.

Ronaldo, who captained Portugal to their historic Euro 2016 triumph, has won nearly every major honour in football except the World Cup. His announcement marks the beginning of what could be the final chapter of a career defined by longevity, excellence, and record-breaking achievements.

As the world looks ahead to 2026, fans are preparing to witness Cristiano Ronaldo’s last dance on football’s biggest stage.