Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi aren’t the only players from the 2006 batch who will play in 2026; there are two more.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will witness
the debut of multiple players. However, among the crop of new players, four veterans of the game who debuted in 2006 will also appear in the upcoming edition.
While the names of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are known to football fans, as every tiny detail about them is extensively covered, there are two more players who debuted in 2006 and will participate in the 2026 World Cup, proving their longevity in a highly cutthroat ecosystem.
Luka Modric
When Luka Modrić made his #FIFAWorldCup debut 🇭🇷🌟 pic.twitter.com/Uj3caXhwgb
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 4, 2026
One of the best midfielders to ever grace the game, Luka Modric is a Croatian legend who guided the team to the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Modric made his debut in 2006 but did not play in the 2010 and 2014 editions. In 2018, he led Croatia to their first-ever World Cup final, making seven appearances and scoring two goals and assisting once. Under his captaincy, Croatia finished third in the 2022 edition.
Modric was 40 at the time, and he announced that he would retire from the national team on the day Croatia’s campaign ended.
Guillermo Ochoa
What it feels like to face Guillermo Ochoa at a #FIFAWorldCup 🇲🇽🧤 pic.twitter.com/VS8YCuUxGg
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 2, 2026
Every four years, this man comes onto the pitch between the posts for Mexico, makes a number of impossible saves, and disappears for four years. Guillermo Ochoa will play his sixth World Cup for Mexico, and we expect him to defy some brilliant goals in the upcoming matches just like he did against Toni Kroos' free kick in 2018 or Robert Lewandowski’s penalty in 2022. Not to forget, in 2024 he made multiple penalty saves against Brazil and helped secure a draw for Mexico.
Like Modric, Ochoa is 40, and therefore we believe this tournament is his last World Cup appearance.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is back for more 🔙🇵🇹#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/1Pd67BiYCg
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 3, 2026
In our opinion, Ronaldo should have retired in 2022, but the 41-year-old is still pursuing glory, hoping to win the title. In 22 matches played at the World Cup since 2006, Ronaldo has only eight goals to his name, but none has been scored in the knockout stage when it mattered the most.
Lionel Messi
Another chapter for Lionel Messi 🇦🇷#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lCXUNebNhK
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 3, 2026
Lionel Messi should’ve retired as well, given he lifted the trophy in 2022 and ended the GOAT debate. However, it seems Messi is still hungry and wants to do it twice. In a year when some football and cricket teams are lifting back-to-back trophies, we believe Messi also wishes to have a go at it.
