Riyad Mahrez retires from international football after Algeria's 2-0 World Cup exit
Synopsis
Riyad Mahrez walked away from international football at BC Place, Vancouver, moments after Algeria's 2-0 World Cup loss to Switzerland — closing a 12-year career that included an AFCON title, 120 caps, and a record-setting 2026 campaign. Algeria lose their greatest modern footballer at a moment when they had finally returned to the world stage.
Key Takeaways
Riyad Mahrez retired from international football on 3 July 2026 after Algeria's 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 32 at BC Place, Vancouver .
The 35-year-old ends his career with 120 caps and 40 international goals , making him Algeria's second-most capped player and second-highest scorer.
Mahrez led Algeria to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title — the country's first in nearly 30 years .
At the 2026 World Cup , he set a new record for most goal involvements by an Algerian player in a single edition, with 3 contributions across 4 matches .
He also became the second-oldest African footballer to start a World Cup knockout fixture.
Riyad Mahrez, captain and all-time great of the Algeria national team, confirmed his retirement from international football on Friday, 3 July after Algeria were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 32 at BC Place, Vancouver. The announcement, made immediately after the final whistle, ends a 12-year international career that produced 120 caps and 40 goals.
The Retirement Announcement
Speaking pitchside after the loss, Mahrez was candid about Algeria's performance. 'The goal was to progress, and I think it was a game that was within our reach. We conceded two goals on mistakes, and at this level, we pay dearly for that,' he said. When pressed on his World Cup future, the veteran winger went further: 'It's my last appearance even with the national team. It was my last game.'
The 35-year-old leaves as Algeria's second-most capped player, behind only Aïssa Mandi, and as the country's second-highest international scorer, trailing only Islam Slimani.
A Career Defined by Historic Moments
Mahrez's most celebrated chapter came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, which he led Algeria to win — their first continental title in nearly three decades. His stoppage-time free-kick against Nigeria in the semi-finals remains one of the tournament's most iconic moments. Algeria went on to defeat Senegal in the final to claim the trophy.
Born in France, Mahrez chose to represent Algeria and made his international debut in 2013. He featured at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where Algeria reached the Round of 16, beginning a journey that would cement his legacy as one of the nation's greatest-ever footballers.
Record-Setting 2026 World Cup Campaign
The 2026 World Cup proved to be Mahrez's most productive on the global stage. Across four matches, he contributed to three goals — scoring twice against Austria and providing an assist against Jordan — setting a new benchmark for the most goal involvements by an Algerian player in a single World Cup edition. He also became the second-oldest African footballer to start a World Cup knockout fixture.
What Algeria Lose
Mahrez's retirement leaves a significant void in Algerian football. Over 12 years, he was the team's creative fulcrum, combining pace, dribbling, and set-piece delivery at the highest level. His departure comes at a moment when Algeria had shown renewed ambition on the global stage, making the Round of 32 at their second-ever World Cup appearance in the modern era. The national team's next generation will need to fill the space left by their most influential player of the past decade.
Algeria's World Cup campaign ends here, but Mahrez's legacy — built across three continents and two decades of club and international football — will endure as a benchmark for future generations of Algerian footballers.
Point of View
And no obvious successor exists in the current squad. The 2026 campaign showed promise, but promise without Mahrez is a different proposition entirely.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Riyad Mahrez retire from international football?
Mahrez announced his retirement immediately after Algeria's 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 3 July. The 35-year-old confirmed it was his final appearance for the national team, citing the result as a painful end to his international journey.
What are Riyad Mahrez's international career statistics?
Mahrez made 120 appearances for Algeria and scored 40 international goals over a 12-year career. He is Algeria's second-most capped player behind Aïssa Mandi and the second-highest scorer in the country's history, behind Islam Slimani.
What was Mahrez's biggest achievement with Algeria?
Mahrez's defining moment was leading Algeria to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title, their first continental championship in nearly three decades. His stoppage-time free-kick against Nigeria in the semi-finals is widely regarded as one of the tournament's most iconic moments.
How did Mahrez perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Mahrez had his most productive World Cup campaign in 2026, contributing to three goals across four matches — scoring twice against Austria and assisting against Jordan. He set a new record for the most goal involvements by an Algerian player in a single World Cup edition and became the second-oldest African footballer to start a World Cup knockout fixture.
When did Riyad Mahrez begin his international career?
Mahrez, born in France, chose to represent Algeria and made his international debut in 2013. He featured at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where Algeria reached the Round of 16, launching a 12-year career that established him as the country's greatest modern footballer.
