Ronaldo: Last world cup in 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo has just confirmed that the FIFA World Cup in 2026 will be his last, as he will be 41 years old by the time it takes place.

"I will be 41 years old and I think will be the moment in the big competition,' Ronaldo told CNN's Becky Anderson in an interview at the Tourise Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday.

As for when he'll retire from the sport for good, Ronaldo said, "I'm enjoying the moment, but when I mean soon, it's really soon because I gave everything for football," the all-time leading goalscorer in international soccer history.

"I'm in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything. I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams. I'm really proud, so let's enjoy the moment, live the moment."

Ronaldo has achieved global superstardom and racked up the most appearances and goals for the Portugese national team.

On December 5th the groups for the World Cup shall be drawn at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Portugal can qualify for the tournament if they manage to beat Ireland on Thursday.

The expanded 48-team tournament, the largest in history, kicks off June 11, 2026, in the US, Mexico and Canada.

Ronaldo also said he hopes his son Cristiano Jr., who plays in the Portugal under-16 club, ends up being a better player than him on the pitch.

"Human beings, we don't want nobody being better than us," Ronaldo said. "But in my point, I wish if my kids will be better than me, l'm never going to be jealous of him, trust me."

Ronaldo said all he wants is for his son to be happy and not have to endure any pressure of being his son.

"As a father, I'm here to help him to be whatever he wants to be."