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Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for most caps in men's international football with 225 for Portugal Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his last. The 40-year-old, who has scored 953 goals for club and country, also said he would retire from football in "one or two years". Next year's World Cup, taking place in Canada, Mexico and the United States, would be Ronaldo's sixth. In an interview with CNN, when asked whether 2026 would be his last World Cup Ronaldo said: "Definitely, yes. I will be 41 years old and I think [this] will be the moment in the big competition. " Ronaldo, who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, is the all-time leading men's international goalscorer with 143 - while he continues to pursue a milestone 1, 000 career goals. 'Football dreams & a business empire' - Ronaldo's relentless drive at 40 The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player said last week he would retire "soon" but confirmed on Tuesday it would likely be in the next couple of years. "Let's be honest, when I mean soon, it's probably one or two years I'll still be at the game, " he said. Ronaldo helped Portugal to the Euro 2016 title, but the World Cup is one of few major trophies missing from the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's cabinet. Roberto Martinez's side have yet to qualify for next year's tournament but will secure their spot if they beat Republic of Ireland on Thursday. Follow your club with BBC Sport Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Reinventing Football - five things fans would change Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last Ford returns at 10 for England against All Blacks Mark Bonnar can't trust anyone in this twist-filled thriller How can young people thrive without leaning on family wealth? The engrossing biopic of a Hollywood icon's early years Inside one of history's most notorious broadcasts Reinventing Football - five things fans would change 'Sea legs meant I couldn't bowl' - when England travelled to Australia by boat Reinventing Football - what do we do with handball, penalties and VAR? In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week Eagles secure narrow win over Packers. Video Eagles secure narrow win over Packers What would pundits change about football? Video What would pundits change about football? 'I just want a dad' - how the Eubanks saved their relationship Piastri's penalty and Hamilton's future - F1 Q&A DP World Tour needs European support - Mc Ilroy Wane's future under review, says RFL boss Why Rybakina refused photo with WTA chief Archer Hoardings, showers & pink dressing rooms - the 'creative' ways clubs get an edge The final frontier: Why has Root never made a century down under? Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week? Can you name every player dismissed by Flintoff in an Ashes Test? 'Man City make ominous statement in brutal lesson for Liverpool' 'Champion's weekend from flawless Norris but Verstappen shines brightest' Valuable lessons and tough losses - world number one Sabalenka's 2025 Watched by 132, 418 fans - but will Rugby League Ashes stay? Baffling? Distracting? The fallout from Earps' book Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.