Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final tournament, marking the beginning of the end for one of the most accomplished international careers in soccer history.
The announcement came as Portugal continued its run in the current knockout stage, with Ronaldo indicating he intends to carry his international career through to the 2026 competition — co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — before stepping away from the national team.
Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, has represented Portugal for more than two decades. He holds the record for most international goals in men’s soccer history, surpassing 130 goals for his country. The 2026 World Cup, at which Ronaldo would be 41 years old, will serve as his farewell stage on soccer’s biggest international platform.
