2026 World Cup Veterans Who Won’t Make 2030: Groups I-L | 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 I

It is the end of an era for France as Didier Deschamps steps away after 14 years, with Zinedine Zidane replacing him as manager. N’Golo Kanté (35) won’t take any part under Zidane after failing to play a single minute in the USA, whilst Lucas Digne (33) and Brice Samba (32) are also fighting a race agains time and are nearing the end of their Les Bleus chapters.

After returning to the World Cup after 40 years, Iraq are expected to transition leadership to a talented core of younger, Europe-based players. Captain and starting goalkeeper Jalal Hassan (35) could be set to hang up the gloves, whilst veteran defenders like Rebin Sulaka (34) and Frans Putros (33) will likely make way as Iraq moves toward a higher-intensity, pressing defensive setup under Graham Arnold.

Norway took North America by storm in their first major tournament in 26 years, but there are a few players who might not compete in the upcoming UEFA Nations League cycle. Goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland (35) could step down after his extra-time blunder vs. England, enabling younger options like Sander Tangvik and Egil Selvik to step forward. Fredrik Aursnes (30) has already retired once from Norway, and he might not quite make it to 2030, alongside Alexander Sørloth (30) and Morten Thorsby (30).

Senegal’s overreliance on aging veterans has already cost Pape Thiaw his job, and it’s likely the new manager will correct that error. The bulk of their golden generation is on its last legs, with all-time appearance maker Idrissa Gana Gueye (36), captain Kalidou Koulibaly (35) nearing the end. All-time leading scorer Sadio Mané (34) has already retired from international duty, and others like Édouard Mendy (34) and Abdoulaye Seck (34) could join him.

Group J

After crashing out in the group stage in their first three participations, Algeria have since made it to the World Cup knockout round in 2014 and 2026. From the players who played in both editions, captain Riyad Mahrez (35) and all-time leading appearance maker Aïssa Mandi (34) have already retired, whilst Nabil Bentaleb (31) could be phased out after a lackluster display which saw him come under criticism for his declining mobility and sluggish decision-making in midfield.

Argentina’s dreams of becoming the first-ever national team to win four consecutive major trophies were killed in the final minutes of the World Cup Final as Ferran Torres’ late goal gave Spain the victory. Now, their veteran core will be thinned out with Nicolás Otamendi (38) already retiring and captain / all-time leading scorer / all-time appearance maker Lionel Messi (38) likely to follow.

After scoring in their first World Cup match since 1998, Austria’s all-time leading scorer and appearance maker Marko Arnautović (37) has retired from international duty. Ralf Rangnick could also transition to a younger core ahead of Euro 2028, with captain David Alaba (34), Michael Gregoritsch (32), Phillipp Mwene (32) and Alessandro Schöpf (32) set to see their minutes decrease in the coming years.

Jordan are set to turn the page after a glorious era that saw them win the silver medal in the 2023 Asian Cup and 2025 Arab Cup and reach their maiden World Cup. Salim Obaid (34) and Mohammad Al Daoud (34) will probably step aside after being used sparingly in the USA, as the Chivalrous Ones transition to a new era under manager Badou Zaki.

Group K

Colombia are due for a squad makeover after losing in the Round of 16 with one of the oldest squads in the tournament. Captain and all-time leading appearance maker James Rodríguez (35) is no longer the same spry chicken that led them to the quarterfinal in 2014, whilst goalkeepers Camilo Vargas (37) and David Ospina (37) are on their way out. Others like Juan Fernando Quintero (33), Santiago Arias (34) and Jhon Córdoba (33) could follow, whilst both of their left backs Johan Mojica (33) Deiver Machado (32) are exiting their prime.

After returning to the World Cup after 52 years, DR Congo are set to part ways with veteran striker Cédric Bakambu (35), who failed to score in his first three starts in the World Cup before remaining on the bench vs. England. Gaël Kakuta (35) has already retired from professional football, and others like Arthur Masuaku (32) and Fiston Mayele (32) could also be phased out in the coming years.

As they prepare to host the World Cup for the first time, Portugal will shake things up with fullbacks Nélson Semedo (32) and João Cancelo (32) and backup goalkeepers José Sá (33) and Rui Silva (32) on their way out. The biggest elephant in the room, however, is captain / all-time leading scorer / all-time leading appearance maker Cristiano Ronaldo (41). Will Jorge Jesus finally move on from CR7 and transition into a younger, free-flowing attacking setup?

Uzbekistan are set for an upheaval after losing three out of three in their maiden World Cup. Utkir Yusupov (35) will relinquish the #1 shirt to Abduvohid Nematov after being benched after the opener vs. Colombia, whilst Farrukh Sayfiev (35) and Umar Eshmurodov (33) could also join him after being used sporadically in North America.

Group L

After a glorious generation which saw them win the silver and bronze medal in 2018 and 2022, Croatia are set for a new leaf following the departure of longtime manager Zlatko Dalić. Captain and all-time appearance maker Luka Modrić (40) and attacking talisman Ivan Perišić are headed for retirement, whilst center forwards Andrej Kramarić (35) and Ante Budimir (35) could also be phased out for the younger crop to come to fruition.

Although Dan Burn (34) will be confident of securing minutes after playing in three of England’s last four matches, the same cannot be said of Jordan Henderson (36). He played just 12 minutes but nevertheless managed to pick up a booking vs. Mexico and break his arm, and he is set to make way for younger midfielders like Alex Scott and Adam Wharton.

Whereas Benjamin Asare (34) should continue to duke it out with Lawrence Ati-Zigi in goal, other Ghana veterans like Thomas Partey (33), Iñaki Williams (32) and Abdul Rahman Baba (32) are undoubtedly on the back nine of their Black Stars tenures. Captain and all-time appearance maker Jordan Ayew let his country down with a dismal display up top, and he will likely step away before next year’s AFCON.

As the oldest squad in the tournament, Panama have already said goodbye to Alberto Quintero (38) and captain / all-time appearance maker Aníbal Godoy. Others like Eric Davis (35), who competed in their maiden World Cup in 2018, as well as Luis Mejía (35), Cecilio Waterman (35) and Roderick Miller (34) will likely step down as coach Thomas Christensen attempts to inject fresh blood into Los Canaleros.

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