Algeria's Riyad Mahrez Announces International Retirement

Algeria's Riyad Mahrez announces international retirement after Algeria's exit from World Cup 2026. The Algerian star Riyad Mahrez, winger and captain of the Algeria national team, has officially announced his retirement from international football, following the exit of his country's team from the 2026 World Cup currently underway.

What happened?

Algeria's loss to Switzerland in the round of 32 of the World Cup, this match was the last stop for the veteran star with the Green jersey. The Algerian national team lost the match 2-0, after Breel Embolo scored the first goal in the 11th minute, then Dan Ndoye doubled the score in the first minute of the second half.

Why is Riyad Mahrez retiring?

Riyad Mahrez confirmed that his long journey with the team has reached its end, where he said in brief statements after the end of the match: “This is my last match with the Algerian national team”. This decision comes after a career filled with achievements and titles, during which he gave a lot to Algerian and Arab football, most notably winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

What's next after Riyad Mahrez's retirement?

The Algerian national team bids farewell to the World Cup after a 2-0 loss, and the team is looking for renewal and change after the departure of star Riyad Mahrez. Algeria bids farewell to the 2026 World Cup after a strong match against Switzerland, but the team considers that there is a lot to learn from this loss.