Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has announced his retirement from international football after his country was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, kicking off one of the best international careers in Algerian football history.The 35-year-old confirmed his decision after Algeria lost 2-0 to Switzerland in the last 32 on Thursday, ending a spell of 119 caps for his country that included the country’s memorable Africa Cup of Nations victory in 2019. “This is my last game for the national team,” Mahrez told beIN Sports after the defeat, with comments later shared by football media platform 433.Mahrez retired with an impressive international record of 40 goals and 45 assists, establishing himself as one of the greatest African players of his generation.
A great end to an illustrious international career
Mahrez’s retirement marks the end of an era in Algerian football.The former African Footballer of the Year played a major role in Algeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations victory, helping the Desert Foxes claim their second continental title and cementing his status as one of the country’s all-time great players.Known for his fluid dribbling, creativity and eye for goal, Mahrez became one of Algeria’s most influential players on the international stage while also enjoying a trophy-filled club career.His last appearance came at the FIFA World Cup, where Algeria returned to the international stage for the first time since 2014 but failed to advance to the last 32.
Switzerland ends Algeria’s World Cup dream
The Swiss team played calmly and won 2-0 to advance to the last 16.Breel Embolo opened the scoring in the 10th minute, finishing off the impressive Johan Manzambi, whose long drive and pinpoint cross unraveled the Algerian defence.Less than a minute into the second half, Switzerland doubled their advantage when Dan Ndoye fired in from outside the box after a loose clearance.Despite Mahrez’s efforts to spark a counterattack, Algeria struggled to break down Switzerland’s disciplined defense and Fabian Riedel came close to scoring a third goal late in the game.The victory was historic for Switzerland, their first in the knockout stages of a World Cup since 1938. They have also won three consecutive World Cup matches for the first time and will now face Colombia or Ghana in Vancouver for a spot in the quarter-finals.
