From Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo chasing final glory to Craig Gordon, pictured, making history with Scotland, we look at seven veterans playing their last World Cup. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
The 2026 Fifa World Cup is anticipated to be the final global tournament for some of the game's greatest players, who will be eager to claim nothing less than the winners' medal as their swansong.
With the tournament being played under an expanded 48-team format for the first time, resulting in 104 matches, many veterans will arrive in North America eager to bag the gold medal. Here, Independent Media focuses on seven of them.
Messi will compete in what is set to be his record-equalling sixth World Cup. As the most decorated player in football, he arrives eager to lead Argentina to a successful title defence before calling time on his career.
Ronaldo is set to appear in his sixth and final (probably) World Cup, chasing the only major trophy that has eluded him. Already on the other side of 40, the Portuguese captain is determined to close his illustrious career by being crowned a world champion.
Neuer has reportedly come out of retirement for his second spell with the German national team ahead of the World Cup. Having been part of Germany’s 2014 triumph, he will aim to crown his career by helping his nation secure a fifth World Cup title, which would match Brazil’s record.
Modric is set to feature in his fifth World Cup. He led Croatia to a second-place finish in 2018 and a third-place finish in 2022. As one of the game's most creative players, he is now making his final push for the coveted world championship.
Weverton is expected to be the third-choice goalkeeper behind Alisson Becker and Ederson at the World Cup. His experience and influence, however, will be valuable in Brazil’s push for a record-extending sixth world title under coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Fifa World Cup top goal scorers.
Image: GraphicNews
Affectionately known as 'Memo', Ochoa is set to become the first Mexican player and one of only three players – alongside Messi and Ronaldo – to play in six successive World Cups. With Mexico as co-hosts, his experience will be vital in driving the team as far as possible. he is unlikely to get much gametime, though.
Gordon is set to be the oldest player at the event, though he’ll still be two years younger than Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who was 45 in 2018, if he plays. His experience will come in handy in helping the Scots finally reach the knockout stage for the first time ever.