Riyad Mahrez, the captain of the Algeria national team, announces his retirement from the team after their loss to Switzerland in the 2026 World Cup.

What happened?

The Algeria national team lost to Switzerland with a score of 2-0 in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, resulting in their exit from the tournament.

Why is Mahrez retiring?

Riyad Mahrez announced his retirement from the Algeria national team after the match, saying that it was time to write the final chapter in his career with the team.

What did Mahrez say?

Mahrez confirmed that the match against Switzerland was his last with the Algeria national team, and said that they had been hoping to continue their journey in the World Cup.

DateMatchScore
2026-06-28Algeria - Austria3-3

What's next for the team?

The Algeria national team will lose one of its brightest stars in the modern era, after Mahrez was one of the main pillars in the golden generation that brought the team back to the top.

Finally, Riyad Mahrez bids farewell to his international career after 12 years of playing with the Algeria national team, and thanks the fans for their support throughout his career