The grand goodbye before the FIFA World Cup 2026

The countdown is on for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As the world prepares for football's biggest festival, a generation of modern greats is facing a bittersweet reality. This summer could mark the definitive end of the World Cup chapter for an elite group of veterans, led by the undisputed icons of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Going all the way and creating history will require an immense feat of endurance. The fierce North American summer heat is expected to test players in their physical prime to their absolute limits. For ageing legends like Luka Modric, Kevin De Bruyne, and Mohamed Salah, the hurdle is twice as high. To rewrite history one last time, these legendary figures will have to defy the odds and prove that world-class veterans can still prevail when the tank is running empty.

Beyond the headline acts, a trio of beloved global icons arrives at the 2026 tournament fiercely determined to leave a lasting impression. For forty-year-old veteran Edin Dzeko, simply reaching this grand stage after a dramatic qualification campaign is a magnificent testament to his enduring class, as the lethal striker aims to provide a final touch of clinical magic for Bosnia and Herzegovina.