Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be his final tournament with Portugal, a revelation that casts an emotional shadow over the round of 16.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday ahead of Portugal’s clash with Spain in Dallas, the 41-year-old Al Nassr striker said: “I want to enjoy it as much as possible, because it will be my last World Cup, yes. But I hope that tomorrow won’t be my last game in the World Cup.”
“Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his last for Portugal, as he prepares to face Spain.”
Ronaldo, who made his international debut in 2003 and has scored 146 goals in 232 appearances for Portugal, became the first man to score in six different World Cup tournaments last month, bagging a brace in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. He also reached the 10-goal mark at World Cups, surpassing Eusébio’s national record of nine from 1966. At 41 years and 138 days, he is now the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla (42 years, 39 days).
Portugal have never reached a World Cup final; their best finish was third in 1966, when they beat the Soviet Union 2-1 at Wembley after losing to eventual winners England. Ronaldo’s best effort came in 2006, when Portugal reached the semi-finals before losing 1-0 to France and then 3-1 to Germany in the third-place play-off.
The match against Spain on Monday, July 6, carries extra weight with Ronaldo’s announcement. But the tournament’s round of 16 also features other dramatic storylines.
Earlier, Morocco took the lead against Canada in the last 32 when Azzedine Ounahi scored the opener. The Atlas Lions are looking to build on their surprise run in 2022.
Elsewhere, Norway have been handed a key boost as Erling Haaland looks to lead a last-16 upset against Brazil. The Scandinavian side, powered by Haaland’s goals, will hope to defy expectations against the five-time champions.
As the knockout stages begin, the 2026 World Cup is already delivering moments of high emotion and drama — none more so than Ronaldo’s farewell.