Seven African internationals have left their national teams after the 2026 World Cup

Five African national teams have recorded seven international departures since the 2026 World Cup

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Seven African internationals have left their national teams after the 2026 World Cup

In the weeks following their participation in the 2026 World Cup, seven African internationals announced their international retirement or their decision to no longer represent their countries, just days before the new international break.

Since their final appearances for their national teams at the 2026 World Cup, seven players who represented Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Ghana and Tunisia have announced their departures. Riyad Mahrez started the series on July 3, a few hours after Algeria’s elimination. Seko Fofana is the latest, making his announcement on September 14, on the eve of the international break.

Riyad Mahrez, after 12 years with Algeria

Riyad Mahrez announced his international retirement on July 3, after Algeria’s 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the World Cup round of 32. At 35, the Al-Ahli winger ended his international career with 119 caps and 40 goals. He is the second-most capped player in the history of the Fennecs behind Aïssa Mandi and the second-highest scorer behind Islam Slimani.

His international honours include the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, which Algeria won in Egypt. Mahrez scored three goals during the tournament, including the decisive free-kick against Nigeria in the semi-final. The 2026 World Cup was therefore his final competition with the Fennecs. He had already featured at the 2014 World Cup before returning to the global stage 12 years later.

Jean Michaël Seri, one final AFCON with the Elephants

Thirteen days after Mahrez, Jean Michaël Seri also announced his departure. The Ivorian midfielder officially retired on July 16, after 11 years with the Elephants. He finished with 66 caps and four goals.

Seri took part in five editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. His main title with Côte d’Ivoire remains the 2023 AFCON, held in 2024 on home soil. The midfielder was also named in the tournament’s best XI.

The 2026 World Cup was his first and last World Cup. He played only around 15 minutes in the group-stage victory over Curaçao.

Chérif Ndiaye, two years and one continental title

Senegal have lost two internationals since the World Cup. The first was Pape Chérif Ndiaye, who announced his retirement on August 30. The striker made his Senegal debut in June 2024 against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In two years, he played 19 matches and scored four goals for the Lions.

He took part in the 2025 AFCON and the 2026 World Cup. The 2025 AFCON remains linked to the ongoing proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport following the CAF decision of March 17, 2026, regarding the final against Morocco. Senegal challenged that decision before the CAS.

Rani Khedira, a very short international career

Rani Khedira’s decision is a particular case. The Union Berlin midfielder chose to represent Tunisia in 2026, only a few months before the World Cup. His change of sporting eligibility was approved by FIFA in March.

After the World Cup, Khedira decided to end his spell with the Carthage Eagles. He finished with six caps, three of them during the 2026 World Cup. He started two matches in the tournament.

In a statement reported after his departure, Khedira said that the time had come to look to the future and highlighted the presence of young players capable of building the future of the national team. His spell with Tunisia therefore lasted less than six months.

Iñaki Williams leaves Ghana

Ghana also recorded one departure. Iñaki Williams announced his international retirement on September 11, a few days before the resumption of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

The Athletic Bilbao forward leaves the Black Stars after 28 caps and two goals. He chose to represent Ghana in 2022, after making one friendly appearance for Spain.

Williams took part in the 2022 and 2026 World Cups as well as the 2023 AFCON. The 2026 World Cup was therefore his final competition with the Black Stars. He was notably involved in Ghana’s run to the knockout stage.

Édouard Mendy, eight years with Senegal

On September 13, Édouard Mendy also announced his international retirement. The Al-Ahli goalkeeper ends an eight-year spell with the Lions of Teranga.

He finished his international career with 59 caps. CAF also credits him with 31 clean sheets. Mendy made his Senegal debut in 2018 and played at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.

His main title with the Lions remains the 2021 AFCON, won against Egypt in the final. Mendy was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper. In 2022, he also received The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award.

He also took part in the 2025 AFCON. The final against Morocco initially ended with Senegal winning on the pitch. CAF later declared Senegal to have forfeited the match and recorded a 3-0 victory for Morocco. The Senegalese Football Federation challenged the decision before the CAS, where the proceedings are still ongoing.

His departure comes just days before Senegal’s first camp under Patrick Vieira.

Seko Fofana, the latest departure

Seko Fofana announced his international retirement on September 14, at the age of 31. The Ivorian midfielder leaves the Elephants after his latest spell with the national team and on the eve of the new international break.

Fofana made 34 appearances for Côte d’Ivoire and scored seven goals, according to data reported following his announcement.

His main title with the Elephants remains the 2023 AFCON, won at home in February 2024 against Nigeria. Fofana took part in the tournament and scored the opening goal against Guinea-Bissau.

He also played at the 2026 World Cup. Côte d’Ivoire were eliminated by Norway in the round of 32. Fofana started the opening match against Ecuador before remaining on the bench for the final two games. His departure came just hours after Mendy’s announcement.

Five national teams affected

These seven departures concern five African national teams. Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal have been the most affected, with two players each. Algeria, Ghana and Tunisia have each recorded one departure.

Mahrez won the 2019 AFCON with Algeria, Seri and Fofana won the 2023 AFCON with Côte d’Ivoire, while Mendy and Chérif Ndiaye were part of Senegal’s campaign at the 2025 AFCON.

The new international break therefore begins with five national teams having to cope without several players who featured at the 2026 World Cup.