World football icons are set for a remarkable return to the spotlight as the World Legends Cup (WLC) prepares to make its debut in 2026, with Rio de Janeiro confirmed as the host city. Officially launched on Monday (2), the new competition promises to blend nostalgia, innovation and elite football heritage, bringing together some of the greatest names the sport has ever produced.
Conceived as both a tribute to football history and a modern global entertainment event, the World Legends Cup will reunite legendary former players who shaped generations of the game. Fans across the world will once again witness iconic figures competing on an international stage—this time under a reimagined format designed for spectacle, intensity and player welfare.
The World Legends Cup is an international senior national teams tournament, open exclusively to retired footballers. One of the driving forces behind the project is Clarence Seedorf, the former Netherlands international and Real Madrid and AC Milan star, who serves as both a partner and official ambassador of the competition.
The maiden edition will feature eight national teams and more than 170 former players, competing in a knockout format over seven matches. In a clear departure from traditional football rules, matches will last 50 minutes, split into two halves of 25 minutes. To maintain tempo while safeguarding players’ health, the tournament will also allow unlimited substitutions, ensuring a fast-paced and competitive spectacle throughout.
The organizers have confirmed the participating nations, each represented by globally respected captains and coaches. Saudi Arabia will be led by captain Yasser Al-Qahtani and coach Majed Abdullah, while Argentina features Sergio Agüero as captain and Gabriel Batistuta as head coach. Brazil, the host nation, will see Cafu wear the captain’s armband, with Zico on the bench. Spain will be guided by Carles Puyol and Fernando Hierro, France by Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, the Netherlands by Clarence Seedorf and Ruud Gullit, and Italy by Gianluigi Buffon and Paolo Maldini.
Nigeria’s team will be captained by Nwankwo Kanu, one of Africa’s most iconic football figures, with Khalilou Fadiga serving as head coach. Kanu’s leadership places Nigeria prominently among the global football giants taking part in a tournament that celebrates the sport’s heritage across continents.
As hosts, Brazil will be under the leadership of Arthur Antunes Coimbra—Zico, who will serve as head coach, referred to by the tournament as a “legend.” The Brazilian squad will be captained by Cafu, the former right-back and five-time World Cup winner, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished players in the country’s storied football history.
Several legendary Brazilian players have already confirmed their participation, including Romário, Bebeto, Kaká, Cafu, Júnior, Adriano, Emerson, Ricardo Rocha and Athirson. Negotiations are ongoing with additional global stars such as Rivaldo and Ronaldinho Gaúcho, whose presence would further elevate the tournament’s prestige.
Broadcast coverage in Brazil is guaranteed after Grupo Globo secured exclusive rights to the competition. All seven matches will be shown across TV Globo, sportv and ge, offering extensive national and digital coverage. With an all-star lineup, an innovative match format and worldwide appeal, the World Legends Cup is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated football events of 2026—reviving the magic of the game’s greatest legends in a single, historic tournament.
