Neuer to Neymar: 11 World Cup players who retired from international football

Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Brazilian forward Neymar are among a group of 11 players who have ended their international careers after the 2026 tournament, according to a monitored public feed from The Guardian Football.

Neuer’s exit closes a long chapter for Germany’s most high-profile modern goalkeeper. He first appeared at a World Cup in 2010 and went on to lift the trophy four years later. Germany have not matched that success in the years since, and their penalty shootout defeat by Paraguay brought an end to Neuer’s international run. He made 23 World Cup appearances in total.

The goalkeeper had initially stepped away from international football after Euro 2024, then reversed that decision a few weeks before the 2026 tournament. After his final match, Neuer said: “Despite the bitter end, I don’t regret this decision.”

His return was not welcomed by everyone. Former Germany defender Robert Huth criticised the move to bring Neuer back, 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.”

The feed summary also identifies Neymar as another major name among those calling time on international duty after the World Cup, though it does not provide further details on his farewell or the full list of retirees.

Based on the monitored public feed and The Guardian Football’s report, the post-tournament shake-up has added another layer of change for teams and supporters adjusting to the end of an era for some of the tournament’s best-known figures.

Source: The Guardian Football - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/21/neuer-to-neymar-11-world-cup-players-who-retired-from-international-football