The absence of some of soccer’s most talented players from the upcoming World Cup 2026 is already being felt, particularly with Italy’s national team missing the tournament once again. The Azzurri faced heartbreak as they lost in the playoffs to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a penalty shootout, sealing their fate after previous failures to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. This marks a significant moment in Italian football history, as none of the current squad members have ever participated in a World Cup match, with the last notable performance dating back to their 2006 victory.
As the tournament prepares to expand to 48 teams, it is surprising to see a wealth of extraordinary talent left out. This feature aims to highlight some of the standout players who will be notably absent, while also ensuring not to overload the list with Italian players alone.
While the situation of Iranian players remains uncertain and deserves its own detailed discussion, the focus here will be on those players whose absence will leave a significant void in the tournament.
Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy) – Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, the Manchester City star’s skills may have influenced Italy’s coach, Gennaro Gattuso, to adopt a defensive strategy during the playoff match against Bosnia, a move that ultimately did not pay off. Despite his impressive accolades, including victories in both the Champions League and the European Championship, he will be watching the World Cup from home.
Defenders
Matty Caśh (Poland) – The right-back, whose unique name reflects his Polish heritage, has emerged as a consistent offensive threat during his tenure at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. With a scarcity of quality right-backs among the teams that failed to qualify, his inclusion here is well-deserved.
Nikola Milenković (Serbia) – Serbia’s inability to overcome Albania in the qualifiers meant the team missed out on the playoffs, much to the relief of their rivals. Milenković, a formidable central defender, played a crucial role in Nottingham Forest’s surprising push for Champions League qualification last season.
Alessandro Bastoni (Italy) – While his red card may have contributed to Italy’s playoff defeat, Bastoni is still recognized as one of the world’s elite defenders. The Inter Milan player excels at both preventing goals and contributing offensively, including through free kicks and penalties.
Patrick Dorgu (Denmark) – Though not the first Black player to represent Denmark, this left-back has been instrumental in Manchester United’s remarkable resurgence. While he may not yet be on par with the club’s legendary left-side defenders, his contributions in assists and goals have delighted fans at Old Trafford.
Midfielders
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine) – Although typically utilized at left-back, Zinchenko possesses significant talent as a defensive midfielder, having scored impressive goals from that position. Unfortunately, an ACL injury sustained shortly after joining Ajax severely hampered Ukraine’s playoff campaign against Sweden.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary) – The new Liverpool signing faces a challenging season, yet he has quickly won over fans with his relentless work ethic and ability to score from distance, including spectacular free kicks.
Sandro Tonali (Italy) – After overcoming a gambling addiction that affected his career, Tonali has found a new lease on life at Newcastle. His passing precision and set-piece accuracy have impressed fans, and he successfully converted a penalty in the shootout against Bosnia.
Forwards
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia) – Known as “Kvaradona,” this forward has been a standout player despite Georgia’s inability to qualify. His performance in the Champions League and at the Euro tournament against Portugal showcased his elite skills, reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) – A pivotal figure in Manchester United’s revival, Mbeumo’s explosiveness and ability to navigate through defenses have made him a constant threat. However, Cameroon’s defensive issues contributed to their failure to qualify.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – Nigeria’s absence is particularly surprising, given their wealth of talent. The Galatasaray striker is a significant loss, as his combination of size, speed, and strength has proven troublesome for defenders worldwide.
Bench
Notable players also missing out include Jan Oblak (Slovenia), Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia), Amir Rrahmani (Kosovo), Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Italy), Milos Kerkez (Hungary), André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon), Henrykh Mkhitaryan (Armenia), Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso), Brennan Johnson (Wales), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), and Serhou Guirassy (Guinea).
