Neuer, Neymar, others who retired from international football after 2026 World Cup
July 23, 2026 1:31 pm
Neymar Jr. Photo: Pedro Vilela/Getty Images
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marked the end of an era for some of football’s most influential figures, with six icons bringing their international careers to a close after the tournament.
According to a post obtained from FIFA’s website on Thursday, Manuel Neuer, Neymar, Riyad Mahrez, Guillermo Ochoa, Patrik Schick and France head coach Didier Deschamps all said goodbye to the international stage after years of remarkable service to their countries.
The group leaves behind a legacy filled with World Cup appearances, major trophies and unforgettable moments that shaped their nations’ football histories.
Manuel Neuer – Germany
Manuel Neuer retired as one of the most influential goalkeepers in football history after redefining the position with his revolutionary style.
The German made his international debut in 2009 and went on to become the face of the modern “sweeper-keeper” role, combining traditional goalkeeping skills with exceptional ability on the ball.
Neuer played a key role in Germany’s 2014 FIFA World Cup triumph in Brazil, where he won the Golden Glove award as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
After returning for the 2026 World Cup following a previous retirement announcement, Neuer ended his international career with 128 appearances, five World Cup tournaments and more than 17 years of service to Germany.
Neymar – Brazil
Neymar ended his Brazil career as the country’s all-time leading goalscorer and one of its greatest attacking talents.
The forward made his international debut in 2010 at the age of 18 and scored in his first appearance against the United States.
During his career, Neymar helped Brazil win the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and secured Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games after scoring the decisive penalty in the final against Germany.
Despite his individual success, the World Cup trophy remained out of reach. Following Brazil’s Round of 16 defeat at the 2026 tournament, Neymar announced his retirement from international football.
He finished his Brazil career with 130 caps and 80 goals.
Riyad Mahrez – Algeria
Riyad Mahrez became a symbol of Algeria’s golden generation and one of the country’s greatest attacking players.
After making his debut in 2014, Mahrez helped Algeria reach the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in the country’s history.
His biggest achievement came in 2019 when he captained Algeria to Africa Cup of Nations glory. His dramatic stoppage-time free-kick against Nigeria in the semi-final remains one of the competition’s most memorable goals.
Mahrez announced before the 2026 World Cup that the tournament would be his final appearance for Algeria. He later confirmed his retirement after the team’s elimination by Switzerland.
Guillermo Ochoa – Mexico
Guillermo Ochoa cemented his place as one of Mexico’s greatest World Cup players after featuring in six consecutive editions of the tournament.
The goalkeeper made his international debut in 2005 and became known for his outstanding performances on football’s biggest stage.
Ochoa produced memorable displays against Brazil in 2014, Germany in 2018 and Poland in 2022, where he saved Robert Lewandowski’s penalty.
The 2026 World Cup on home soil marked the end of his two-decade international career, with fans giving him a memorable farewell.
Patrik Schick – Czech Republic
Patrik Schick retired from international football after a decade representing the Czech Republic.
The striker became a global sensation at Euro 2020 after scoring a stunning long-range goal against Scotland from almost 50 yards, which was later named the tournament’s best goal.
Schick made his national team debut in 2016 and ended his career after the Czech Republic’s exit from the 2026 World Cup.
He leaves behind a reputation as one of his country’s most talented modern forwards.
Didier Deschamps – France
Didier Deschamps ended a historic 14-year spell as France’s national team coach after the 2026 World Cup.
A World Cup winner as a player in 1998, Deschamps became one of only three people to win the tournament both as a player and a coach.
Since taking charge of Les Bleus in 2012, he guided France to the Euro 2016 final, the 2018 World Cup title, the 2021 UEFA Nations League trophy and another World Cup final appearance in 2022.
The third-place play-off against England at the 2026 World Cup marked his final match as France coach, bringing an extraordinary chapter in French football to an end.
The retirements of Neuer, Neymar, Mahrez, Ochoa, Schick and Deschamps signal the conclusion of an era that produced some of the most memorable moments in modern international football.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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