Last World Cup In 2022 For These 15 Football Players

• Age:  37 
• Debut: 2008
• National Team Achievements: FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, Copa America 2019 winner.

The work rate of Thiago Silva has not changed even in the late thirties. The captain of the Brasilian National team has earned over 107 caps for his country. The Chelsea player still displays strength on the field, but his advanced age will not let him participate in World Cup 2026.

The 2022 World Cup will be Silva’s last with no objections. Nevertheless, the center-back is still one of the locker room’s most respected characters. He will have less playing time but will be a great advisor to Neymar Jr (possible captain) and youngsters like Vinicius jr, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Gabriel Martinelli.

• Age: 34
• Debut: 2009
• National Team Achievements: World Cup 2010 winner, Euro 2008, and Euro 2014 winner.

Sergio Busquets is still one of the most trustful players for Spain and Barcelona. He was officially appointed as the team captain in the year 2020; before this, he served as the vice-captain of Sergio Ramos.

What Busquets bring to the Spain National Team is experience. He is an elegant passer with a calm demeanor who has achieved everything in professional football. 

He has been part of every significant title-winning triumph in the last decade with his countryside. In addition, Busquets has made over 130 appearances for his national side. Another great attribute of Busquets is that he rarely gets injured, but due to falling age, he is less likely to appear in every match at Qatar.

The World Cups 2022 is likely his last, as Spain is heading toward a generational change. Rising players like Rodri, Gavi, and Saul Niguez, will fulfill the role of Sergio Busquets after his retirement.

• Age:  35
• Debut: 2011
• National Team Achievements: Fifa World Cup 2018, UEFA Nations League 2021 winner, UEFA Euro 2016 runner-up. 

Olivier Giroud is one of the most underrated performers, although dismissing his successes with his football clubs and the France National team is impossible. He is a World Cup winner, UCL winner, and multiple domestic cup winners.

Giroud is the country’s second-highest goal scorer. He has scored 48 goals for his national team, with one being in the World Cup 2014 against Switzerland in the group stage.

Some football fans might think Giroud will vanish in the team where players like Benzema and Mbappe play. But, Giroud has always played his best games for the France side, appearing as a substitute. He is still a goal threat during corners and set pieces.

Nevertheless, the World Cup in Qatar will be Olivier Giroud’s last appearance in the biggest football contest. His role will be fulfilled by versatile younguns like Kingsley Coman, Christopher Nkunku, Moussa Diaby, and many more.

• Age: 34
• Debut: 2008
• National Team Achievements: Copa America 2022 winner, World Cup 2014 runner-up.

The football era knows Di Maria for his dribbling, stamina, and unmatched passing skills. He is among those few who have played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In addition, the winger is placed at the Top-5 of most assists in football. He has provided 268 assists in his career.

The Argentine celebrated his 34th birthday this year. The right-hand man of Captain Lionel Messi will be playing his last World Cup this year. Due to advancing age, the winger also moved to Italian Serie A this year.

Di Maria is likely to play for many years in the domestic leagues. Still, for the national side, he might have to compete with many talented Argentine youths like Julian Alvarez, Nicolás González, Alejandro Garnacho Ferreyra, Exequiel Zeballos, and many more.

Nevertheless, Argentina is still a favorite in this year’s World Cup, and Di Maria could still win his trophy of a dream. The La Albiceleste are going to the tournament as the South American champion.

• Age: 35
• Debut: 2008
• National Team Achievements: World Cup 2010 third place, Copa América 2011 winner

Edinson Cavani could still be one of the strongest players heading to the World Cup. The striker has found himself netting goals as a super substitute in recent years. He had sustained a calf injury while playing at Manchester United last year.

The football world still knows Cavani as the top goal scorer of PSG. However, the striker will be playing his last World Cup this year. He scored one goal in the world cup. 

The 35 years old will be replaced by a newer generation of strikers like Darwin Nunez, Maximiliano Gómez González, and Diego Rossi.

• Age:  31
• Debut: 2008
• National Team Achievements: World Cup 2018 third place

Eden Hazard is a critical player in Belgium’s golden era of football. Unfortunately, although the forward is not yet too old to retire, he has sustained several significant injuries in the past year, affecting his recent form with Real Madrid. Thus, there is speculation that Hazard might not be fit to play in 2026’s world cup.

This year the Belgian captain underwent surgery to remove a metal plate in his right ankle. Before this, he had suffered a Fissure of the fibula, Hamstring, and Muscle Injury in the same year. He also faced fitness problems due to spending most of his time in the hospital bed.

It is harsh to think that Hazard is stepping for his last World Cup, but in the past, plenty of examples had to take earlier retirement due to fitness issues. Also, Hazard had missed some games in the recent Euros.

The Belgian Red Devils will have one more opportunity to capture a major championship. The team possesses a wealth of quality, including Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Alex Witsel, and Youri Tielemans. Still, its heyday is probably ending due to the players’ advancing years.

• Age:  32
• Debut: 2010
• National Team Achievements: World Cup 2014 Winner

Toni Kroos is one of the world’s best midfielders of our era. He has won numerous UCLs, domestic tournaments, and a World Cup in 2014.

The Real Madrid star is still known for his precision, clear-minded approach, and leadership. Even in his early thirties, he will add value to the German National team. However, due to his normal aging in recent years, the football world has seen a slight decline in Kroos’ play.

Kroos will be 36 when the World Cup takes place in 2026, but he still has a great possibility of being chosen because of his extensive expertise and leadership abilities. If fitness supports him in the coming years, we can see him in the German squad, but still, he has to fight for the position with young midfielders like Florian Wirtz, Anton Stach, Mahmoud Dahoud, Riddle Baku, etc.

• Age:  36
• Debut: 2006 
• National Team Achievements: World Cup 2010 winner, Euro 2008, and Euro 2014 winner.

It is unknown whether Sergio Ramos will play in the World Cup 2022. He could lose his Center Back position to young guns like Eric Garcia, Pau Torres, Inigo Martínez, or Diego Llorente. But if the PSG star participates, this will undoubtedly be his final World Cup.

Ramos has won everything at both club and national levels. He was a keyman in Spain’s 2010 World Cup victory and last two Euro wins. Similarly, the skillful center-back has helped Real Madrid win four UCL trophies in the past.

The defender brings the team the perfect leadership and character, which will likely help him secure a place in Spain’s squad. With 131 wins, he holds the record for Spain’s most international victories.

However, Ramos has not found good form after turning 34 and leaving his dear club Real Madrid. He spent most of his time on the bench last year. Additionally, he suffered a series of injury problems last year.

In the 2022-2023 season, Ramos is setting his sights on the World Cup and wants to help PSG win their first Champions League Titles.

• Age: 36
• Debut: 2008
• National Team Achievements: World Cup 2014 winner.

Manuel Neuer, 36, is one of the iconic goalkeepers of our time. He is already a living legend for his country.

Neuer might not compete in the upcoming competition, and his absence will affect the team. Marc-André Ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp will fulfill his lack, but keepers like Neuer are still hard to replace.

Thomas Muller, a fellow countryman, might also retire till 2026, similar to Neuer.

• Age:  34
• Debut: 2007
• National Team Achievements: UEFA Nations League 2020–21 winner

In the past, Benzema has missed chances to perform on the international stages due to controversies. But, this time, the French goal machine is eying for his first World Cup golden boots.

Karim has recently been in fantastic form for Real Madrid and Les Bleus, and he expects huge things at the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Last season he netted 44 goals and provided 15 assists. He is a strong candidate to win the Ballon d’Or this year.

Nevertheless, Benzema is currently 34, and this is most likely his final World Cup. Nonetheless, he is one of the world’s top strikers right now, and he might be the difference-maker for France in this tournament.

• Age:  35
• Debut: 2007
• National Team Achievements: Copa América 2011 winner

One of the deadliest strikers of our era is Luiz Suarez, the strike partner of Edison Cavani. He is presently playing for Nacional of Uruguay, and is likewise 35 years old and is towards the end of his career. Therefore, the World Cup 2022 will be his last World Cup.

In his prime, he terrified European defenders and ranks among the most versatile strikers of the modern age. He has scored two goals in the world cup so far.

Suarez’s form has been worse in recent seasons, and he is now well past his prime. El Pistolero’s final tournament is expected to be the FIFA World Cup of 2022.

With two of the most prolific goal scorer of their generation retiring, Uruguay will have a hard time finding a world-class number nine.

• Age:  37
• Debut: 2006
• National Team Achievements: World Cup 2018 runner-up.

At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Luka Modric took home the Golden Ball, given to the most outstanding player in the competition.

He led Croatia to the championship game four years ago, ultimately falling to France. By the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Modric will be 37 years old. He has, however, recently been on fire for Real Madrid, and he will once more be Croatia’s star player.

By 2026, Modric will be in his forties. After that, he will pass his excellent football knowledge to some young Croatian midfielders.

Croatians like Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, and Josip Brekalo are likely to replace Modric.

• Age:  34
• Debut: 2006 
• National Team Achievements: N/A

Robert Lewandowski is among the few players who have zero haters. The Polish goal machine is not considered a favorite to win the World Cup, but even if he only participates in the group stage, he can win the golden boots.

In last year’s qualifying campaign, Lewandowski had become the first player to score 16 goals in a single season.

Lewandowski will be in his late forties in the World Cup 2026. Despite his excellent fitness, he is less likely to play in the tournament after four years. Moreover, it will be hard for the Polish national team to generate players like Lewandowski in the coming years.

Besides Lewandowski, Poland sees strikers options in Nicola Zalewski, Arkadiusz Milik, Krzysztof Piątek and Adam Buksa.

• Age:  35
• Debut: 2005
• National Team Achievements: World Cup 2018 finalist and Copa America 2021 winner.

Possibly the best soccer player of all generations is Lionel Messi. The record seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has consistently been a leader in his field. He led Argentina to their first successful tournament run since 1993, earning him the title of “Best Player of the Tournament” in the 2021 Copa America.

In 162 games for La Albiceleste in his international career, Messi has 86 goals and 51 assists. The only trophy missing from his collection is the World Cup, which he will attempt to win in what may be his final appearance at the competition. The Argentine maestro has scored four goals in World Cups.

It is impossible to replace Lionel Messi in Argentina or any other team. Therefore, the number 10 jersey for La Albiceleste might have to wait a bit longer to find the right person to take the responsibility if Messi retires.

• Age:  37
• Debut: 2003
• National Team Achievements: Euro 2018, UEFA Nations League 2018 winner.

The World Cups will miss Cristiano Ronaldo, our generation’s all-time great goal scorer. In 189 caps for the Portuguese national team, he has 117 goals and 42 assists. One of the best footballers of all time is Cristiano Ronaldo.

We will miss him terribly when he inevitably decides to hang up his boots. Unfortunately, Ronaldo is currently 37 and unlikely to be alive for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. But, being the fighter he is, he’ll probably give Portugal his all in Qatar.

With no Champions League this season for Ronaldo, he is eyeing to set a new record in this year’s world cup. The Portuguese already have seven goals in 17 matches in the competition.

Some generation greats, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mohamad Salah, Gonzalo Higuain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Riyadh Mahrez, David Alaba, Marco Verratti, etc., will not be in the World Cup this year.

Similarly, young stars like Erling Haaland, Luiz Diaz, Martin Odegaard, and Federico Chiesa will be watching the tournament on TV.

Both Messi and Ronaldo made their World Cup debut in 2006, but neither has been able to take home the giant crown in world football. Eight years ago, Messi was inching closer to the title but was defeated by Germany.

This year France, England, Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, and Germany are yet again favorites to win the competition.

One crucial name is absent: Italy, which will miss the competition for the subsequent straight cycle after tumbling to North Macedonia in a season finisher. Somewhere else, the image is presently clear.

The display of competition in the European and North American cold weather months has created gigantic consideration. The requests it will put on homegrown European seasons have caused contention after FIFA stood firm in carrying the opposition to the Center East.

Notwithstanding, despite the attention on the countries and stars in plain view in Qatar, there will likewise be a few enormous names passing up a significant opportunity. A few worldwide whizzes won’t make it onto the plane in the wake of neglecting to protect a spot with their public sides.