Top football stars to miss 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will go ahead without some of football’s biggest stars after their countries failed to qualify for the tournament.

While several nations celebrated securing their places, many top players were left devastated as injuries, disappointing campaigns and shock eliminations denied them the chance to feature at football’s biggest event in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Here is top football stars that are not going to the world cup:

10: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)

One of the most feared wingers in European football, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will not be heading to North America after Georgia fell short in their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup finals. Despite their efforts, Georgia finished behind Spain and Turkey in Group E, missing out on a historic qualification spot.

The Paris Saint-Germain star, who has lit up this season’s Champions League with his flair and directness, will be a major absence at the tournament. Still yet to grace a World Cup stage, Kvaratskhelia’s international dream remains on hold, despite his growing reputation as one of the most electrifying attackers in world football. His most recent major outing with Georgia came at Euro 2024, where he helped inspire a memorable run to the round of 16.

9. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

Robert Lewandowski captained Poland at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but endured a difficult tournament as he failed to score and his side finished bottom of their group. Four years later in Qatar, he responded with a stronger showing, scoring twice as Poland progressed to the last 16 before being eliminated by France.

However, the Barcelona striker’s final push to reach another World Cup ended in disappointment. He scored four times in Group G during the 2026 qualifiers, but Poland still fell short, finishing three points behind the Netherlands before losing to Sweden in the playoffs, sealing their absence from the finals.

8. Hugo Ekitike (France)

France forward Hugo Ekitike’s hopes of making his World Cup debut cruelly ended after he suffered a devastating ruptured Achilles tendon while playing for Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain in April.

The 23-year-old was left in visible agony and stretchered off in tears during the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Anfield, with the severity of the injury now expected to sideline him until January 2027.

It is a crushing blow for a player who had forced his way into World Cup contention. At the start of the 2025/26 season, Ekitike was well down the France pecking order, but a breakout campaign at Liverpool featuring 17 goals in all competitions before injury struck had put him firmly in the conversation for Didier Deschamps’ squad, only for fate to intervene at the worst possible moment.

7. Xavi Simons (Netherlands)

An injury sustained while playing for Tottenham Hotspur will keep Xavi Simons out of the Dutch World Cup campaign.

Attacking midfielder Simons will not be with the Netherlands at the World Cup 2026 after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while playing for his club, Tottenham Hotspur, against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a Premier League game.

Simons, 23, ⁠was expected to be a key figure in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad for what would have been his second World Cup after his debut in ⁠2022.

He has earned 34 caps, most recently featuring in friendlies in March.

6. Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)

Liverpool and Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has impressed this season and scored some stunning long-range goals.

But he will not be at the World Cup after his country let a 2-1 lead slip in their final group game with the Republic of Ireland scoring twice in injury time to clinch a spot in the play-offs and eliminate Hungary.

5. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season since he moved from Paris St-Germain for £26m in September, after helping the French club win the Champions League last season.

Despite being player of the tournament as Italy won the 2020 European Championship, he misses out on a World Cup again after Italy lost 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the playoffs final.

4. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

Osimhen did his best to help Nigeria reach a first World Cup since 2018, scoring eight goals in the African qualifiers. Nigeria drew five of their 10 matches in the first group phase as they finished one point behind winners South Africa, but then had a second chance in the following play-off.

However, the Super Eagles suffered a gut-wrenching defeat to DR Congo in the play-off final.

Nigeria’s elimination means football fans will not be able to admire Osimhen’s explosive pace, raw athleticism and clinical finishing at the 2026 World Cup.

3. Benjamin Sesko (Slovenia)

Sesko is a gifted centre-forward who is known for his blistering pace, physicality and powerful finishing.

The 22-year-old has scored 11 Premier League goals this season, helping Manchester United secure Champions League football.

The exciting forward won’t be at the 2026 World Cup, as Slovenia finished behind Switzerland and Kosovo in their qualifying group.

2. Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)

Cameroon’s failure to qualify for the World Cup came as a surprise as the Indomitable Lions hold the African record for the most appearances with eight overall.

After losing to DR Congo in the semifinals of the African playoffs, Cameroon’s World Cup dreams died and, with them, Mbeumo’s chances of playing in North America.

Mbeumo has had a decent season at Manchester United, scoring 10 goals and bagging three assists across all competitions.

Despite his impressive performances at club level and growing influence in the national setup over the years, Palmer was ultimately not included in the squad, ending his hopes of making a World Cup debut this time around.