The 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will introduce a historic 48-team format.

With the line-up now complete following the final qualification matches, anticipation is building for what promises to be the biggest edition yet.

However, despite the expanded field, several major stars will not feature. Some have fallen short in qualification, others have been undone by injuries or collective underperformance. The absence of such names is always one of the tournament's harsh realities.

Here is a selection of notable players who will miss the 2026 World Cup:

Trent Alexander-Arnold, England

Across the Channel, Thomas Tuchel has made some selections that have caused quite a stir. The German manager has left out big names such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harry Maguire, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer. These omissions have come as a surprise, but Tuchel stands by his decisions: "We were looking to put together the best possible team. Not necessarily the 26 most talented players."

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, England

Harry Maguire, England

Boulaye Dia, Senegal

As for Senegal, Pape Thiaw has also had to make some difficult choices. The manager has prioritised continuity and consistent club form, to the detriment of several players who nevertheless contributed to the Lions’ continental triumph, such as Boulaye Dia, Habib Diallo and Mamadou Lamine Camara

Boulaye Dia

Habib Diallo, Senegal

Habib Diallo

Eduardo Camavinga, France

Didier Deschamps has unveiled the 26-man squad that will represent France at the World Cup; given the wealth of talent in France, the absence of certain iconic players is particularly notable.

Camavinga

Corentin Tolisso, France

Tolisso

Randal Kolo Muani, France

Kolo Muani

Joao Pedro, Brazil

Neymar’s return to the Selecao has caused a sensation, but Ancelotti’s squad selection has also left some players disappointed. Joao Pedro, who has had a fine season for his club, and veteran Thiago Silva are among the names that could have made the cut.

Joao Pedro

Thiago Silva, Brazil

Thiago Silva

Dani Carvajal, Spain

For the first time in its history, La Roja will head into a World Cup without a single Real Madrid player in its ranks. Luis de la Fuente made the decision without hesitation, leaving out several players who still thought they had a chance of making the squad.

Carvajal

Dean Huijsen, Spain

Huijsen

Mateus Fernandes, Portugal

In Portugal, Roberto Martinez has also made some bold selections that have taken many observers by surprise. The biggest surprises come from midfield: Mateus Fernandes had hoped to make a splash following his strong season, and João Palhinha, long regarded as a key player thanks to his defensive impact, will also not be making the trip.

Mateus Fernandes

Joao Palhinha, Portugal

João Palhinha

Sofiane Boufal, Morocco

In Morocco, Mohamed Ouahbi has clearly made his vision his own. The new manager of the Atlas Lions has not hesitated to make bold decisions, marking a clear break with some of the iconic players from the previous generation

Sofiane Boufal

Youssef En-Nesyri, Morocco

Youssef En-Nesyri

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Georgia

Despite a promising start in qualifying, Georgia fell short in a tough group featuring Spain and Turkey. A major disappointment for one of Europe's brightest attacking talents.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Victor Osimhen, Nigeria

Nigeria once again underperformed in qualification, missing out after a play-off defeat to Congo. Osimhen is one of the biggest names absent from the tournament.

Victor Osimhen

Ademola Lookman, Nigeria

Alongside Osimhen, Lookman also misses out due to Nigeria's failure, denying him a chance to shine on the global stage.

Dusan Vlahovic, Serbia

Serbia's inconsistency proved costly, with dropped points in key matches ultimately ruling them out of the World Cup.

Jan Oblak, Slovenia

Slovenia finished behind Switzerland and Kosovo in their group, falling short of qualification despite Oblak's presence.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Hungary

Hungary came close but failed to advance from a competitive group, meaning Szoboszlai misses out on what could have been his first World Cup.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy

Italy's struggles continue, missing a third consecutive World Cup after another play-off defeat, extending a historic crisis.

Sandro Tonali, Italy

Like Donnarumma, Tonali is another major casualty of Italy's ongoing decline on the international stage.

Robert Lewandowski, Poland

Poland were eliminated by Sweden in a tight play-off, potentially denying Lewandowski one of his final World Cup appearances.

Piotr Zielinski, Poland

Zielinski also misses out following Poland's narrow elimination, despite a strong overall campaign.

Rasmus Hojlund, Denmark

Denmark fell in the play-off final on penalties, leaving Hojlund without a World Cup opportunity.

Christian Eriksen, Denmark

Eriksen shares the same fate, missing out after Denmark's dramatic elimination.

Eriksen

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ukraine

Ukraine were eliminated in the play-offs, with Zinchenko also sidelined by injury at a crucial moment.

Zinchenko

Leon Bailey, Jamaica

Jamaica came agonisingly close but lost in the intercontinental play-off final, missing a historic qualification.

Leon Bailey

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon

Gabon's run ended in the African play-offs, denying Aubameyang another appearance on the world stage.

aubameyang

Alexis Sanchez, Chile

Chile endured a disastrous qualifying campaign, finishing bottom and confirming their ongoing decline.

Sanchez

Milan Skriniar, Slovakia

Slovakia were knocked out in the play-off semi-finals after a high-scoring defeat to Kosovo.

skriniar

Vangelis Pavlidis, Greece

Greece failed to qualify after finishing behind stronger opposition in their group.

Bryan Mbeumo, Cameroon

Cameroon were eliminated in the African play-offs, falling short of another World Cup appearance.

mbeumo

Vedat Muriqi, Kosovo

Kosovo's dream ended in the play-off final, narrowly missing out on a historic qualification.

Kosovo

Despite the tournament’s expansion, the 2026 World Cup will once again be defined not only by those who make it, but also by the stars who are left behind.

K. Kvaratskhelia

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