Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be the final World Cup of his career, bringing an end to a remarkable journey that has seen him feature in a record six editions of the tournament.
The Portugal captain made the announcement during an interview with CNN, saying he believes the competition will be the right stage to conclude his World Cup career.
Ronaldo says the time is right
Speaking about his future, Ronaldo said he wants to enjoy every moment of the tournament while accepting that age has made it the appropriate time to step away from football’s biggest stage.
“I will be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment in the big competition,” he said.
The veteran forward added that he is not thinking beyond the current tournament, insisting that discussions about retirement can wait until Portugal’s campaign comes to an end.
“The future isn’t important right now. I’ll have time, after we win or lose, to talk to my family and then make decisions,” Ronaldo said.
Historic World Cup journey
The 2026 tournament has added another milestone to Ronaldo’s extraordinary career, making him the first footballer to score in six FIFA World Cups.
Portugal have advanced to the knockout stages, keeping alive the captain’s dream of lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy for the first time.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has enjoyed one of football’s most successful careers, winning multiple UEFA Champions League titles, league trophies across Europe and becoming Portugal’s all-time leading scorer.
His confirmation means the ongoing tournament will be the final opportunity for football fans around the world to watch him compete on the World Cup stage.




