Cristiano Ronaldo told a Saudi‑hosted forum that the 2026 World Cup will be his last major international tournament. At 40, he said that turning 41 by the time the competition begins feels like the right moment to step away from the sport’s biggest stage, indicating that the upcoming edition will mark the end of his World Cup participation.
The Portuguese star, who has scored more than 950 career goals and remains the all‑time leading scorer for his national team with 143 goals in 225 caps, is still under contract with Al Nassr until at least 2027.
While the agreement allows him to keep playing at a high level, Ronaldo hinted that his overall retirement is imminent, suggesting he plans to retire from professional football within the next year or two to focus on personal and business interests.
Portugal still needs to secure a spot in the 2026 tournament, which will be co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
A victory over Ireland in their next qualifier would guarantee qualification, giving Ronaldo one final opportunity to add a World Cup medal to his collection before concluding his playing career.
