Moments after Algeria’s elimination against Switzerland in the round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the national team captain Riyad Mahrez announced he was ending his adventure with the national team.
Algeria’s World Cup campaign came to an end after Switzerland booked their place in the Round of 16 following a 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye.
Murat Yakin’s side took the lead in just the 10th minute at BC Place Vancouver, after Embolo finished off a cross from Johan Manzambi before Ndoye doubled Switzerland’s lead at the start of the second half.
‘My last game for Algeria’
Speaking after the game, Mahrez said as quoted by FIFA.com: “This was my last match with Algeria.”
By making the decision, the former Manchester City winger brought the curtain down on a distinguished 12-year international career that included Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) glory and 119 caps.
Discussing the defeat against Switzerland, he said: “Our aim was to go through and I think it was a game we could have won.
“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.”
Mahrez’s greatest achievement with Algeria came in 2019 when he captained his country to AFCON glory. He scored a 96-minute goal in a 2-1 win against Nigeria in the semi-finals of the competition.
Later on, Algeria managed to win the tournament, which was their first since 1990. He featured in his 100th international match in a 3-1 away victory over Botswana during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
He scored his first World Cup goals, netting a brace in a 3-3 draw with Austria as his country qualified for the knockout stage. He concludes his international career with 120 appearances and 40 goals, making him one of Algeria’s most-capped players.
Mahrez’s journey in football
Mahrez, who is regarded as one of the best African players of all time, began his career as a youth player for French club AAS Sarcelles.
He turned professional in 2009 with Quimper, where he played for only one season before moving to Le Havre, spending a total of three years with them, initially playing for their reserve team and then becoming a first-team regular.
In January 2014, Mahrez signed for English side Leicester City, helping them win the Championship and promotion to the Premier League at the end of his first season.
In the 2015/16 season, he was the Algerian Footballer of the Year, the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, and was a member of the Premier League PFA Team of the Year as he helped Leicester City win the Premier League.
Mahrez signed for Man City in 2018, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup in his first season.
He went on to win a further three league titles, one FA Cup, two EFL Cups and a UEFA Champions League in 2022/23 as part of a continental treble whilst at City.
In July 2023, he joined Saudi side Al Ahli, winning two AFC Champions League Elite titles and the Saudi Super Cup.
