Riyad Mahrez has announced his retirement from international football after Algeria’s 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing the curtain down on one of the finest careers in the country’s history.
Riyad Mahrez, 35, confirmed after Friday’s defeat in Vancouver that the match was his last for the Desert Warriors, ending more than a decade of service in the national colors.
“We aimed to go through, and I think it was a game we could have won,” Mahrez said. “But we conceded twice on mistakes and at this level, you can’t get away with it. There are always positives to take away from matches: we did manage to get out of the group stage, but we conceded too many goals to aspire to more. This was my last match with Algeria.”
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Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also confirmed the decision, posting: “OFFICIAL: Riyadh Mahrez announces his retirement from international football, he’s told BeIN Sports. 85 G/A in 119 games for Algeria.”
Mahrez leaves the national team as one of Algeria’s greatest-ever players. He inspired the country to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, title, famously scoring a dramatic stoppage-time free-kick against Nigeria in the semi-finals before lifting the trophy. Across his international career, he registered 85 goal involvements in 119 appearances.
Algeria’s World Cup journey ended after costly defensive errors allowed Switzerland to seize control. Breel Embolo opened the scoring in the first half before Dan Ndoye doubled the lead shortly after the restart, sending the Swiss into the last 16.
Mahrez, who scored twice in Algeria’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria to help secure qualification from the group stage, was substituted in the 71st minute. It proved to be his final appearance for the North African country.
NAN
