Riyad Mahrez has called time on his Algeria career after the country’s World Cup campaign ended with a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland.
The former Manchester City and Leicester City winger, now playing for Al-Ahli, confirmed after the match that he would no longer continue with the national team.
It brings an emotional end to a long international career in which Mahrez became one of Algeria’s defining players of the modern era.
Mahrez confirms Algeria farewell
According to TV 2 Sport, Mahrez announced his decision after Algeria’s elimination from the World Cup.
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“We advanced from the group stage, but we conceded too many goals to be able to aim for more,” Mahrez said.
He then made his decision clear.
“This was my last game for Algeria.”
The statement closes a major chapter for both Mahrez and the Algerian national team.
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Switzerland end Algeria’s run
According to The Guardian, Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 in Vancouver, with Breel Embolo scoring early before Dan Ndoye added the second goal shortly after half-time.
Algeria struggled to recover after falling behind and never found the attacking rhythm needed to put Switzerland under sustained pressure.
Mahrez did have moments of involvement, but the match ultimately slipped away from Vladimir Petković’s side.
The defeat ended Algeria’s tournament in the knockout stage after they had made it through the group phase.
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An earlier farewell warning
Mahrez’s decision did not come completely out of nowhere.
According to The Straits Times, he had already said after Algeria qualified for the tournament that the 2026 World Cup would be his last on the global stage.
“This will be my last World Cup. I’m not Ronaldo,” Mahrez said at the time.
“I’ll give everything I have to represent Algeria in the best possible way.”
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After the loss to Switzerland, that plan became final.
A defining figure for Algeria
Mahrez leaves the national team as one of Algeria’s most important players of his generation.
He was central to Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2019 and remained a key figure for the team long after his peak years in the Premier League.
His departure now leaves Algeria facing a new era without the player who, for so long, carried their biggest attacking hopes.
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The World Cup ended in disappointment, but Mahrez’s international career will be remembered for far more than one defeat.
