Riyad Mahrez says the next World Cup will be his last! | OneFootball

The former City star gives a final decision on his time with the Algerian national team.

Riyad Mahrez - getty images

Algeria's triumphant qualification for the 2026 World Cup is a moment of national celebration, but it arrives with a poignant footnote for its brightest star. While the nation prepares for a return to football's grandest spectacle, its captain and talisman, Riyad Mahrez, has revealed that the tournament will serve as the final chapter of his own World Cup journey.

In a moment of reflective candor following a recent match, Mahrez confronted the inevitable march of time. When probed on the possibility of seeing him on the World Cup stage beyond 2026, the Algerian skipper responded not with the ambition of a man chasing records, but with the self-awareness of one who understands his own timeline.

What did he say?

“Will I play in another World Cup after 2026? I’m not Ronaldo, brother… that will be my last one,” said Mahrez.

His light-hearted yet definitive statement marks the beginning of a farewell tour, framing the upcoming campaign as a precious last dance. Yet, even as one chapter prepares to close, another is opening for Algerian football.

In a symbolic passing of the torch, it was recently confirmed that 27-year-old Luca Zidane—son of the legendary Zinedine—has chosen to pledge his senior international future to Algeria, turning from his French youth roots.

The narrative, therefore, is one of transition: a nation savors its present success led by its iconic captain, even as it looks toward a future being shaped by new talents answering the call.