Following Algeria’s 2-0 loss to Switzerland in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Riyad Mahrez announced his retirement from international football, ending one of the best careers in the nation’s history.
Following Friday’s loss in Vancouver, 35-year-old Riyad Mahrez announced that the game was his final one with the Desert Warriors, capping over ten years of service in the national colors.
“I believe it was a game we could have won, and we aimed to go through,” Mahrez remarked.
However, we gave up twice due to errors, and you can’t get away with it at this level. We did make it out of the group stage, but we gave up too many goals to hope for more. Nevertheless, there are always good things to learn from games. My final game against Algeria was this one.
Football transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano also confirmed the announcement, posting: “OFFICIAL: Riyadh Mahrez announces his retirement from international football, he’s told BeIN Sports. Algeria has 85 G/A in 119 games.
Mahrez, one of Algeria’s greatest players ever, departs the national squad. He memorably scored a thrilling stoppage-time free kick against Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) before raising the trophy, inspiring the nation to the victory. He made 119 appearances for his country and recorded 85 goal involvements.
Algeria’s World Cup campaign came to an end when Switzerland took control due to costly defensive mistakes. The Swiss advanced to the round of sixteen as Breel Embolo started the score in the first half and Dan Ndoye quickly doubled it.
Mahrez was replaced in the 71st minute after scoring twice in Algeria’s exciting 3-3 draw with Austria to help the team qualify from the group stage. It turned out to be his last appearance for the nation in North Africa.
