2026 World Cup Veterans Who Won’t Make 2030: Groups E-H | OneFootball

Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened. This aphorism could be just as easily used to describe the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the players who are bidding farewell to the international game.

From Nicolás Otamendi to Aïssa Mandi, we’ve already seen quite a few players hang up their boots from international duty, and there’s bound to be quite a few players who will join them in the next few months. Today, we’re taking a look at the players who won’t be around for the 2030 World Cup.

Group E

After making it to their first-ever World Cup, Curaçao face a stark generational turnover. Eloy Room (37), the hero of their goalless draw vs. Ecuador, should step down, whilst captain Juninho Bacuna (34) — their joint-all-time appearance maker with Room — could follow. Others like Brandley Kuwas (33), Jürgen Locadia (32), Joshua Brenet (32), and Juriën Gaari (32) could make way for a new Blue Wave.

With Ecuador fielding one of the youngest average squad rosters in international football, the squad is largely built for sustained long-term success. However, starting goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez (39) could follow manager Sebastián Beccacece out the exit door, whilst all-time leading scorer Enner Valencia (36) has already retired after losing the captain’s armband to Moisés Caicedo.

Oliver Baumann (34) would have been hopeful of competing at his first-ever major tournament for Germany, only for Manuel Neuer (40) to return from retirement on the eve of the World Cup and deliver a catastrophic display. Neuer and manager Julian Nagelsmann have already exited, whilst Pascal Groß (35) and Antonio Rüdiger (33) could be phased out under prospective new coach Jürgen Klopp.

After entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the youngest average squad age in the entire tournament (25.35 years), Côte d’Ivoire are built for long-term success. Apart from Jean-Michael Seri (35), who has retired after an 11-year career that saw him compete in five AFCONs (winning it in 2024), the Ivorians will have the same squad going into next summer’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Group F

Japan already lost their captain Wataru Endo to a foot injury before the tournament, only to then retire from international duty, and others like Yūto Nagatomo (39) and Shōgo Taniguchi (35) will likely join him. And whilst he played a key role in the World Cup, starting in two of his four appearances and scoring vs. Tunisia, Junya Itō (33) could be phased out for younger wingers like Yuito Suzuki and Kenito Shigoai.

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has already walked out the door after their embarrassing Round of 32 defeat to Morocco, and others like Marten de Roon (35), Wout Weghorst (33), Mark Flekken (32), and all-time leading scorer Memphis Depay (32) could join him. And at 35, captain Virgil van Dijk might decide to step away and allow younger defenders like Micky van de Ven, Jorrel Hato, and Jan Paul van Hecke to fill the gap.

After sneaking into the World Cup, Sweden are expected to make some revitalization efforts ahead of Euro 2028 qualifying. Emil Forsberg has already retired after being left out of the World Cup squad, whilst backup goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt (37) could follow. At nearly 33, Ken Sema could also step back and enable younger, versatile options such as Daniel Svensson and Elliot Stroud to develop more.

Tunisia already omitted a number of veterans like Naïm Sliti (who retired), and Ferjani Sassi and Yassine Meriah. Needless to say, that strategy didn’t pay off as Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed after one game, with his replacement Hervé Renard losing in both of his matches. Ali Abdi (32) and Mortadha Ben Ouanes (32) could be the next to be culled, whilst Rani Khedira (32), who only made his Tunisia debut in March, could also be phased out.

Group G

This is likely the last dance for Belgium’s golden generation. Midfield mainstays Axel Witsel (37) and Kevin de Bruyne (35) have run their race, whilst Thomas Meunier (34), Hans Vanaken (33), Brandon Mechele (33) and Romelu Lukaku (33) are in the twilight of their careers. Thibaut Courtois (34) has already stated that he won’t take part in the upcoming UEFA Nations League cycle, something that Belgium’s new manager likely won’t take too kindly.

Having never won a single World Cup match in their history, Egypt wound up defeating New Zealand and nearly knocking out Argentina. Now comes the generational transition, with longtime #1 Mohamed El Shenawy (37) and backup El Mahdy Soliman (39) set to be phased out alongside center back duo Rami Rabia & Yasser Ibrahim (both 33). And at 34, captain Mohamed Salah may very well decide to step down after leading the Pharoahs to unprecedented heights.

Despite being treated the most unfairly out of all the 48 teams in North America, Iran came within inches of their first-ever knockout berth. Now, one of the oldest rosters in the tournament is due for a rejuvenation, with Shojae Khalilzadeh (37) and Ramin Rezaeian (36) set to retire. Captain Ehsan Hajsafi (36) will likely try to get two more caps to become Team Melli’s all-time leading appearance maker before stepping down.

After returning to the tournament after 16 years with a veteran-heavy core, New Zealand manager Darren Bazeley will likely transition away from his seasoned players such as Michael Boxall (37), Kosta Barbarouses (36), Max Crocombe (32) and Tim Payne (32). As the only two All Whites players to play in multiple World Cups, Tommy Smyth (36) and captain / all-time top scorer / all-time appearance maker Chris Wood (34) will likely bow out before 2030.

Group H

Cape Verde were the breakout sensations of the 2026 World Cup, and no player entered the mainstream consciousness quite like Vozinha (40) with his shot-stopping heroics vs. Spain and Argentina catapulting him to internet fame. Vozinha and Stopira (38), who came out of international retirement to score the goal that qualified them for their first-ever World Cup, are both set to step aside in the coming years.

After a second-straight last-place finish, Saudi Arabia are bound for a squad renewal, with starting goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais (34) and squad players Ahmed Al-Kassar (35) and Hassan Kadesh (33) due to move on. Saleh Al-Shehri (32) has been a pivotal target man for the Saudis but will likely cede his place to Firas Al-Buraikan, while captain and creative talisman Salem Al-Dawsari could be headed for retirement.

In their first tournament without either Luis Suárez or Edinson Cavani since 2007, Uruguay failed miserably. Several veterans like Sergio Rochet (33), Guillermo Varela (33) and Giorgian de Arrascaeta (32) could follow Marcelo Bielsa out the exit door. And as for Fernando Muslera (40), who came out of a two-year retirement to compete in the 2026 World Cup, it’s evident that the sequel wasn’t anywhere near as good as the original.

The scariest thing about Spain isn’t that they’ve won the last two major titles or the fact that they haven’t lost an official match since March 2023. It’s that they’re built to keep dominating football. Apart from Borja Iglesias (33), there aren’t too many players who are exiting their prime, although Marc Cucurella (28) previously vowed to both 1) retire and 2) get a tattoo of Luis de la Fuente on his bicep if Spain won the World Cup.

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The World Cup veterans from Groups A – D who won’t make 2030.