By Rebecca Phillips
The highly anticipated 2026 Fifa World Cup opens its curtains in just two short weeks, however, for fans across the globe this tournament could serve as a nostalgic farewell to a generation of football’s greatest legends.
From iconic forwards to legendary leaders, several veterans may be preparing for one last dance on football’s biggest stage.
Mohamed Salah – Egypt
By the time the World Cup begins the Egyptian forward will be 34. An age where even the world’s best attacking players begin to face the physical demands of international football.
Egypt qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a win over Djibouti – making Egypt the third African country after Morocco and Tunisia to secure their place.
Salah played a key part of this triumph, scoring two out of Egypt’s three goals in their match in October.
“I believe he will achieve something with the Pharaohs at the 2026 World Cup,” former Egypt captain Ahmed Fathi told AFP.
Salah remains the headlining name of Egypt – The Captain and player Egypt will continue to look for outstanding goals.
However, with Egypt’s eight years away from football’s most iconic stage, the question looms:
Will this be Salah’s last World Cup and last chance?
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Virgil van Dijk – Netherlands
Virgil van Dijk is expected to lead the Netherlands into the 2026 World Cup, in what many believe could very well be his final major international appearance.
The Dutch captain has previously hinted that the competition may represent his last appearance on the big stage, as reported by Firstpost.
Since making his first international debut in 2015, Van Dijk has established himself as one of the defining defenders of his generation.
If this does prove to be his final World Cup campaign, Van Dijk will leave the international stage as one of the most international captains in modern Dutch football history.
Luis Suarez – Uruguay
Luis Suarez appeared to bring an end to his international career in 2024. However, the former Uruguay captain has since left the door open for a potential return ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
In a statement he made, he said: “I retired from the national team to make way for other players, and because I felt that a moment had arrived when I could no longer be of use to the squad.
“But if they need me, I will never say no to the national team. That is impossible — as long as I am still playing, as long as I remain active.”
Later adding that: “Obviously, I made the decision [to retire] for various reasons, but since I left, that flame for football has dimmed a little.”
Few players in modern football have matched Suarez’s winning mentality and competitive edge. For Uruguay, he represents far more than goals alone.
He remains one of the most influential figures in the nation’s football history. A potential return for the 2026 tournament would add another chapter to an already remarkable international career.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal
The 2026 World Cup is largely suspected to be 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo’s last international tournament.
While his longevity has consistently defied expectations, the physical demands of elite international football make another World Cup appearance in 2030 highly unlikely.
Ronaldo’s World Cup legacy is without a doubt, firmly established. The Portugal captain has featured in five consecutive tournaments – 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Making 22 appearances and scoring eight goals along the way.
However, for Portugal and football fans worldwide, 2026 could represent one final opportunity to witness Ronaldo on the sport’s greatest stage.
Lionel Messi – Argentina
Lionel Messi has already secured every major honour available in football – including the World Cup title that completed his legacy in 2022.
The Argentinian captain could enter the 2026 tournament with the opportunity to become a two-time world cup champion before bringing his extraordinary international career to a close.
Ongoing hamstring concerns have increasingly raised questions about how much longer the star can continue at the highest level.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni says Lionel Messi remains undecided about whether he will play at the World Cup; Messi has been named in the squad for friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia; the 38-year-old previously said he would assess his chances “day-to-day”
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Last dance
While the 2026 World Cup promises emerging stars and unforgettable drama, it may become the final curtain call for a generation of football legends who had a hand in shaping modern football.
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