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With just over two months remaining until the 2026 World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, all 48 participating teams have been confirmed following the conclusion of the March play-offs. The top contenders such as Spain, Brazil, England, France, and reigning champions Argentina have all safely booked their places in the tournament.

This edition is expected to mark Lionel Messi’s final appearance on football’s grandest stage, while rising stars like Lamine Yamal, Vinicius Jr, Ousmane Dembele, and Kylian Mbappe will be eager to make their own mark. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, is set to equal Messi’s record by appearing in his sixth World Cup for Portugal. England’s Harry Kane will lead his side under Thomas Tuchel, and Erling Haaland will make his World Cup debut with the ambitious Norwegian team.

However, several high-profile players will not be part of the spectacle, having fallen short in the qualification process. Here’s a look at the biggest names who won’t be heading to North America next summer.

Gigi Donnarumma (Italy)

For the third consecutive World Cup, Italy have failed to qualify. Since their 2006 triumph, the Azzurri have managed just one World Cup victory — against England in 2014 — and will again be spectators after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout.

This setback means an entire generation of Italian talents, including Sandro Tonali, Nicolo Barella, and Alessandro Bastoni, are yet to make a mark in a global tournament. Among them, Gigi Donnarumma remains the standout. The Yashin Trophy holder and Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament is recognised as one of the best goalkeepers of his era, but the former AC Milan prodigy will be in his 30s when he next has a chance to feature in a World Cup.

Although Italy’s failure cannot be pinned on Donnarumma, as one of the national side’s leaders, he must continue performing at the highest level to guide the four-time champions back to the global stage in 2030.

Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

Robert Lewandowski, one of this century’s most distinguished strikers, will not have the opportunity to improve upon his record of two goals in seven World Cup matches. Poland were eliminated in the UEFA play-offs after a 3-2 defeat to Sweden in March. Following the loss, the 37-year-old hinted that this could mark the end of his international career.

Lewandowski’s form has declined in recent years, and his time at Barcelona appears to be nearing its conclusion as his contract expires this summer. Nevertheless, the veteran forward would have hoped for one final major tournament before ending his illustrious playing days.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was instrumental in Georgia’s impressive Euro 2024 campaign, helping them reach the Round of 16. However, the Paris Saint-Germain winger will not be part of the World Cup after his nation’s disappointing qualification campaign.

Kvaratskhelia scored twice, including in a 3-0 victory over Bulgaria, but Georgia lost four of their remaining five matches and finished third behind Spain and Turkey in Group E. A heavy 4-1 defeat to Turkey underlined their struggles, leaving head coach Willy Sagnol with a demoralised squad that lacked players of Kvaratskhelia’s calibre.

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

Nigeria will miss a second consecutive World Cup after suffering a shock penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the African play-offs. The Super Eagles, who were expected to progress comfortably, faltered after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Their attacking threat diminished after Victor Osimhen was forced off with a leg injury at half-time, and DR Congo ultimately prevailed 4-3 in the shootout.

Despite scoring eight goals during qualifying, Osimhen’s efforts couldn’t compensate for the team’s inconsistency. Stars like Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Calvin Bassey, and Wilfred Ndidi all underperformed. The Galatasaray forward, now approaching 30, may have seen his best years pass without a World Cup appearance.

Christian Eriksen (Denmark)

Denmark’s failure to reach the World Cup marks their first absence from a major tournament since Euro 2016. They lost to Czechia in the UEFA play-offs on penalties after a late collapse against Scotland in November had already cost them automatic qualification.

Christian Eriksen, who had revived his career with Wolfsburg after leaving Manchester United, was recalled for the play-offs at 34. However, the defeat likely ends his chance of representing Denmark on football’s biggest stage again.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, one of the finest strikers never to feature at a World Cup, is unlikely to fulfil that dream after Gabon’s latest qualifying failure. Despite scoring seven goals, including four in a thrilling 4-3 win over Gambia, Gabon fell to Nigeria 4-1 in the semi-final play-off.

The Marseille forward led from the front, but Gabon’s hopes of a first World Cup appearance ended once again. Without Aubameyang, their prospects for future campaigns look bleak.

Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)

Born in France but representing Cameroon since 2022, Bryan Mbeumo might be regretting his international switch. Cameroon were stunned by Cape Verde in qualifying and then fell 1-0 to DR Congo in the play-offs, courtesy of a last-minute Chancel Mbemba strike.

Mbeumo, who has scored just seven goals in 27 appearances for Cameroon, missed a clear chance during the match and was visibly frustrated after the loss. The Indomitable Lions, once Africa’s most consistent World Cup participants, are now far from their former glory amid off-field instability.

Dusan Vlahovic (Serbia)

Serbia’s failure to qualify for the first time since 2014 was a bitter blow. Head coach Dragan Stojkovic resigned after a 1-0 loss to Albania, and a subsequent 2-0 defeat to England sealed their fate.

Dusan Vlahovic managed only two goals throughout the campaign and struggled against top opposition. The Juventus striker’s future remains uncertain as his contract nears its end, and his mediocre international record — 16 goals in 41 matches — continues to raise questions.

Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)

Hungary’s qualification hopes were crushed in dramatic fashion when Ireland’s Troy Parrott scored a stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory in Budapest. Captain Dominik Szoboszlai, who had contributed five goal involvements in six matches, was left in tears after the match.

The Liverpool midfielder had been pivotal for Hungary, even scoring a late equaliser against Portugal earlier in the campaign. However, defensive lapses cost his side dearly, and Hungary’s World Cup drought will now stretch to 44 years.

Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

Alexis Sanchez, who has enjoyed an illustrious club career with Barcelona, Arsenal, and Inter, will not feature in another World Cup after Chile finished bottom of the CONMEBOL table with just 11 points from 18 matches. Injuries and a managerial change saw him sidelined for much of the campaign, and at 37, he is unlikely to return to the national setup.

Benjamin Sesko (Slovenia)

Benjamin Sesko played every minute of Slovenia’s first four qualifiers but failed to score or assist. A knee injury then ruled him out as Slovenia lost 2-0 to Kosovo, ending their qualification hopes. With limited talent beyond Sesko and Jan Oblak, Slovenia’s long absence from the World Cup looks set to continue.

Keylor Navas (Costa Rica)

Keylor Navas came out of retirement in 2025 hoping for a fourth World Cup appearance, but Costa Rica’s campaign ended in disappointment. Despite conceding only six goals in six matches, they managed just one win and finished third behind Honduras and Haiti.

At 39, Navas may have played his final international match, and Costa Rica will miss the finals for only the second time this century.

Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)

Serhou Guirassy’s prolific club form — 86 goals since 2023 — did not translate to international success. The Borussia Dortmund striker scored just once as Guinea finished fourth in their group behind Algeria, Uganda, and Mozambique, missing out on a historic World Cup berth.