In the wake of Algeria’s elimination in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, Riyad Mahrez surprised everyone by announcing the end of his international career.
Affected by the collective disappointment and the brutal outcome of the Fennecs’ journey, the iconic captain of the national team has chosen to close the chapter with the Greens, thus ending a rich adventure spanning several years at the highest level. This is a bold decision, marking the end of an era for a golden generation of Algerian football.
It has almost become a tradition over the World Cups: when a team exits the competition, it often signals the end of an era. Algeria did not escape this rule after their elimination in the Round of 16.
Last night, the Fennecs were halted by a solid Swiss team, losing 2-0 in a match where they never truly managed to turn the tide. More realistic and better organized at key moments, the Swiss made the difference while controlling the game’s weaker phases.
For Algeria, this defeat means much more than just an exit from the competition. It symbolizes the end of a generation and opens a period of questions about the future of the group. As is often the case after a knockout in the final stages, it’s now time for assessments and structural decisions to launch a new cycle.
“This is my last match”: Riyad Mahrez turns the page with Algeria
In the aftermath of Algeria’s World Cup elimination, Riyad Mahrez spoke emotionally about the group’s disappointment, but most importantly, he announced a significant decision regarding his international future.
Speaking to beIN Sports, the Fennecs’ captain did not hide his bitterness after this premature exit. “The goal was to advance. It was a match within our reach. We conceded two goals due to mistakes, and at this level, you pay for that. There are always positives, we made it through the group stage, we reached the knockout stage… We didn’t deserve it, we conceded too many goals to hope for something,” he admitted, clearly aware of his team’s shortcomings.
But it was his final statement that left a mark. In a moment filled with emotion, Mahrez announced the end of his international adventure: “This is my last appearance with the national team, this is my last match,” he declared, thus closing a long chapter with the Greens.
With 119 caps and 40 goals, the former Manchester City player leaves behind a significant legacy, highlighted by the historic triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019. An emblematic figure of an entire generation, Mahrez now turns the page on an international career marked by strong moments, but also by great disappointments on the world stage.
