Superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final appearance at the global tournament.

The 40-year-old forward, who joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in 2023, shared the news on Tuesday via video link during a Saudi forum. When asked if next year’s World Cup would mark the end of his World Cup career, Ronaldo said:

“Definitely, yes. I’m gonna be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment.”

Ronaldo also clarified his earlier comments about retiring “soon,” explaining that he still plans to play for another one or two years before hanging up his boots.

“Let’s be honest, when I mean soon, it’s probably one or two years I’ll still be at the game,” he added.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is aiming for a sixth World Cup appearance. Ronaldo’s closest chance at lifting the trophy came in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals.

Portugal has yet to qualify for the 2026 tournament in USA, Canada, and Mexico, but they can secure their spot with a win against Ireland this Thursday.

Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr in late 2022, following his second departure from Manchester United, helped spark a trend of late-career football stars heading to Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich league.

With the 2026 World Cup potentially marking the end of an extraordinary international career, fans around the world are already preparing to celebrate one of football’s greatest icons.