The final note: Legends, for whom the 2026 World Championships will be the last in their careers.

The final chapter: legends whose careers will come to an end with the 2026 World Cup. The tournament in North America will be a true test of strength for the generation that has shaped world football over the past decade. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have already crossed the threshold of 40 years of age. Lukas Modric, Robert Lewandowski, and Thomas Müller, despite their outstanding performances, won’t be able to continue playing indefinitely. For them, the 2026 World Cup isn’t just a sporting challenge—it’s the final chapter in the history of these national teams. Who else will be able to stand alongside them? Time will tell. But one thing is certain: we will be witnesses to the farewell of a whole era of great players.