Curtain call for 4 African players after the 2026 World Cup
Mahrez and Mané/@BBC
The World Cup will be the last international challenge for several African football stars.
The 23rd edition of the world’s most prestigious tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026 in North America and will feature 48 nations.
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Africa will be represented by 10 teams at the World Cup: Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal and Cape Verde.
Below is a list of four African players who are expected to announce their international retirement after the 2026 World Cup.
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
The Fennecs captain plans to dedicate himself fully to his career at Al Ahly after the World Cup in North America.
He hinted at this during a press conference on the sidelines of the last African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025).
At 35 years old, Riyad Mahrez has seen some of his influence diminish and even started on the bench during the Greens’ last friendly against Uruguay.
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In 113 appearances for the national team, the former Manchester City star scored 38 goals and provided 44 assists.
Sadio Mane (Senegal)
Like Riyad Mahrez, the dynamic Senegalese winger has already announced that he will not compete in the upcoming 2027 African Cup of Nations, which will be held in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
At 33 years old, Al Nassr’s talisman will aim to lead the Lions to a memorable run in the next World Cup, hoping to bid farewell to the national team on a high note.
In summary, Sadio Mané has 124 international caps, with 52 goals and 28 assists to his name.
Cédric Bakambu (DR Congo)
The Leopards striker is expected to announce his international retirement after the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
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Bakagoal, now 34, wants to finish his international career on a high, having been one of the key architects of his country’s historic qualification for the tournament.
In 67 international matches, Cédric Bakambu scored 21 goals and provided 6 assists.
Jean-Michaël Séri (Ivory Coast)
As his career comes to an end, the tireless Ivorian midfielder is unlikely to pull on the Elephants jersey after the 2026 World Cup.
At 34 years old, the Grand-Béréby native is expected to focus on his career at NK Maribor, with whom he has a contract until 2027.
The former Africa Sports player has played 63 games for the Ivory Coast national team, scoring 4 goals and 4 assists.