By Emeka Dennar
Riyad Mahrez has ended his international career after Algeria’s 2-0 defeat to Switzerland on Friday knocked the Desert Foxes out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 33-year-old winger confirmed his retirement immediately after the Round of 32 match, closing a 14-year chapter with Algeria.
“This Was My Last Match with Algeria”Mahrez said Algeria’s defensive mistakes cost them against Switzerland. “Our aim was to go through and I think it was a game we could have won,” he said.
“But we conceded twice on mistakes and at this level, you can’t get away with it… This was my last match with Algeria.”
A Legendary Algeria CareerMahrez finishes as one of Algeria’s greatest ever players: 113 appearances 39 goals 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner and talisman for the Desert Foxes
Algeria 0-2 Switzerland
Swiss End 88-Year Wait
Costly errors let in Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye as Switzerland controlled the game. The win sends Switzerland to the last 16 for a 5th straight World Cup and gives them their first knockout-stage victory at the tournament in 88 years.
Algeria had hoped to join Morocco as the second Arab nation in the knockout stages after avoiding Spain in the draw, but they failed to break down a disciplined Swiss side. For Mahrez, the defeat marks the end of an era for Algerian football.
