Neuer and Neymar among 11 World Cup players to retire from international football

Neuer and Neymar are included in a group of 11 players who announced their retirements from international football following the 2026 World Cup. Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper ended his international career after his side’s exit in the last 32.

Neuer first appeared at a World Cup in 2010 and was part of the squad that lifted the trophy in 2014. Germany have struggled for comparable success since that triumph, and their penalty shootout defeat by Paraguay in the last 32 of the 2026 tournament marked the end of Neuer’s international run. He had initially stepped away from the national team after Euro 2024 but reversed that decision a few weeks before this World Cup. “Despite the bitter end, I don’t regret this decision,” he said after his 23rd and final World Cup appearance.

The goalkeeper’s return to the squad generated debate within German football circles. Former Germany defender Robert Huth criticised the choice to bring Neuer back into the fold, saying: “I think the big one that really unsettles the squad was the Neuer inclusion. I think [it was] really unexpected, he came late to the table.” That view underlined a wider discussion about selection and the mix of experience and fresh faces in the squad.

Alongside Neuer, a Brazilian icon has been listed among the 11 players to retire after the tournament. The announcement of multiple high-profile departures drew attention to the end of an era for several national teams, with veteran players choosing to move on after the conclusion of the World Cup.

The decision by the veterans to step away will reshape the selection landscape for their respective federations. National team coaches will be tasked with identifying successors and adjusting strategies without the experience those players provided at major tournaments.

For supporters and teammates, these retirements close chapters that included World Cup highs and subsequent challenges. The collection of exits following the 2026 event highlights the cyclical nature of international squads as nations prepare for the next qualifying cycle.

The departures of established figures such as Neuer and the Brazilian icon signal significant changes ahead for their countries. Federations and managers will now begin the work of rebuilding and integrating new talents for future competitions.