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May 23, 2026
Analyzed by Glm 4.5 Air:Free

World Cup 2026: Top Stars Missing Out on Tournament

AI Summary
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be missing several top football stars due to injuries and qualification failures. From established veterans like Robert Lewandowski to emerging talents like Estevao, the tournament in North America will be without some of the sport's biggest names.

The World Cup Absences

The world's best football players will travel to North America this summer for the most anticipated sporting event of the year: the FIFA World Cup 2026. While the 48-team tournament will feature young prodigies and veterans alike, some stars will not be at the tournament, having missed out due to injuries or because their nations failed to qualify.

Stars Who Missed Qualification

Several high-profile players will not be at the World Cup because their countries failed to secure qualification. Among them are:

  • Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia) - The Paris Saint-Germain winger, one of the most feared in European football, will not be on the plane to North America as Georgia failed to qualify.
  • Robert Lewandowski (Poland) - The 37-year-old Barcelona striker left the pitch in tears after Poland narrowly missed out on qualification. With 89 goals in 165 appearances for Poland, he has never advanced beyond the round of 16 at a World Cup.
  • Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sandro Tonali (Italy) - Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time means the tournament will be devoid of some of the finest Azzurri talents, including the star goalkeeper and midfielder.
  • Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) - Nigeria's shock penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the African playoffs means fans will miss out on watching these two bright attackers.
  • Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) - Cameroon's failure to qualify came as a surprise as the Indomitable Lions hold the African record for the most World Cup appearances with eight overall.

Injury-Related Absences

Several players who would have likely been selected for their national teams have been ruled out due to injuries:

  • Hugo Ekitike (France) - The France forward ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for Liverpool against PSG in April, an injury that could sideline him until January 2027.
  • Estevao (Brazil) - The 19-year-old suffered a grade four hamstring injury while playing for Chelsea in April, crushing his dream of making his World Cup debut.
  • Rodrygo (Brazil) - The Real Madrid winger suffered a torn meniscus and ACL in his right knee while playing for Madrid in March and is expected to be out until the end of 2026.
  • Xavi Simons (Netherlands) - The attacking midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while playing for Tottenham Hotspur against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Other Notable Absences

Several other high-profile players will also miss the tournament:

  • Fermin Lopez (Spain) - Misses out after requiring surgery on a fracture in his right foot.
  • Serge Gnabry (Germany) - Ruled out with a torn adductor muscle in his right thigh.
  • Cole Palmer and Phil Foden (England) - Omitted from England's squad after both had disappointing seasons.
  • Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma (Japan) - Minamino was left out after suffering an ACL tear while Mitoma also misses out after suffering a hamstring injury.
  • Eder Militao, Joao Pedro, and Richarlison (Brazil) - All dropped from Brazil's squad due to injuries.
  • Jan Oblak (Slovenia) - The goalkeeper and captain will be absent after Slovenia failed to qualify.
  • Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary) - Faces a similar fate after Hungary missed out on qualification.