15 stars who risk missing World Cup

Carlo Garganese

• 15 Oct 2025 04:01 CDT
• 3 min read

News

The 2026 World Cup qualification campaign is now reaching fever pitch.

Well over half of the 48 places at the finals in North America next summer have been filled already, but there are many big nations who are at risk of missing out.

Subsequently, some of the best footballers on the planet will not play at the 2026 World Cup.

Below are some of the top stars who may not be in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Which best players may not qualify for 2026 World Cup?

Italy are the biggest European nation at risk. They will finish second in UEFA Group I as Norway’s goal difference makes them uncatchable in first place. This means that world class stars such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolo Barella and Sandro Tonali will have to navigate a dangerous playoff route to avoid missing a third straight World Cup.

Sweden will also have to go through the UEFA playoffs after a disastrous group stage, meaning two of Europe’s best strikers in Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres risk missing out.

Georgia are third in Group E and need a miracle to get into the playoffs so the world class Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will almost certainly end up watching the World Cup at home.

Evan Ferguson and Ireland are third in Group F and face an uphill battle to make the playoffs.

Serbia may not make the playoffs either after their defeat to Albania, which would perfectly sum up the decline of Dusan Vlahovic’s career.

Turkey and Poland are set for the playoffs, putting the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Kenan Yildiz and Arda Guler at risk.

In CAF qualification, Nigeria and Cameroon scraped through their groups into the playoffs so Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Andre Onana all are at risk.

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