Article by Dragoș Petrescu – Published Saturday, December 13, 2025, 6:04 p.m. / Updated Saturday, December 13, 2025, 6:10 p.m.
Karim Benzema (37 years old), currently the footballer from Al-Ittihaddoes not exclude the possibility of a return to the French national team and, implicitly, participation in the 2026 World Cup, L'Equipe announced.
“Les Bleus” supporters are exulting these days! Seven months before the big football event in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Karim Benzema announced in the public space that he would like to be part of the squad of the current world runner-up at the final tournament in 2026.
Karim Benzema: “I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to be there”
The former striker of Lyon and Real Madrid last played for the first representative of the “Galic Rooster” in 2022, just before the start of the competition in Qatar.
Benzema was then left out of Didier Deschamps' 26-man squad, which would miss the grand final against Argentina on penalties due to a last-minute injury. In addition, right after the end of the final tournament, the French striker announced his retirement from the national team.
Three years on though, KB is seriously considering a comeback and a 'last dance' in his country's shirt, and what better stage for such a thing than a World Cup?
In an interview for L'EquipeBenzema has spoken openly about the possibility of taking part in the second World Cup final tournament of his career (the first and only one being in 2014), stating that he would not turn down the opportunity, should it arise.
I'm a football player. I love this sport, I love winning trophies. As long as I'm active, that's what I'm fighting for.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play in a World Cup. If the selector calls me, I will come and play. There was no way I would say no to such an opportunity.
– Karim Benzema, for L'Equipe
97 games and 37 goalsscored Benzema for the national team of the “Galician Rooster”
Benzema could return to Europe in 2026!
The return to the “Les Bleus” team would not be the only spectacular “return” of the Frenchman. According to his words, Benzema does not rule out a possible transfer to a European football club in the summer of next year, when his agreement with the Saudis from Al-Ittihad, for which he has been playing since 2023, expires.
The 37-year-old striker said he feels very good in Saudi Arabia, but is still not 100% decided on whether or not he will sign a contract extension. He also stated that he is ruled out to retire and that he wants to continue playing at a high level.
I have offers from Europe, but I have to weigh everything very carefully. I don't want to go somewhere just for the sake of going.
Here (no – in Saudi Arabia) I get a lot of affection. We'll see what happens. What is certain is that I want to continue playing at the highest level. I won't stop in six months.
– KB
Throughout his career as a professional footballer, Karim Benzema has won no less than 34 trophies at collective level (7 with Lyon, 25 with Real Madrid, 2 with Al-Ittihad and one with the national team).
Also, in 2022, the Frenchman also won the most coveted individual trophy awarded in football, namely the Ballon d'Or.
Karim Benzema – 2022 Ballon d'Or // PHOTO: Getty Images
