While the World Cup provides the world's best an opportunity to showcase their talent, a number of elite players won't be present at the tournament.
Alfredo Di Stefano, George Best and Ryan Giggs are amongst the best players to have never played at the World Cup, and a host of Italy players could join the list in the not-too-distant after they were denied entrance to the tournament for the third successive occasion when losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European qualifying play-off final.
Read on as we take a look at some of the best players that won't feature at the 2026 World Cup.
Which players won't be at the 2026 World Cup?
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)
Georgia's wait to feature at the World Cup goes on after finishing third in Group E of European qualifying, which means that those travelling to America won't be blessed with the presence of Paris Saint Germain forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Kvaratskhelia, who scored in PSG's 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final, shone in the group stage of the 2024 Euros, scoring in his nation's 2-0 win over Portugal, before Georgia were knocked out by eventual winners Spain in the Round of 16.
Robert Lewandowski (Poland & Barcelona)
Poland failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2022 when falling to a 3-2 defeat to Sweden in the play-off final.
This means that there's a strong chance that 37-year-old Barcelona centre forward Robert Lewandowski has already played his last game at the competition, scoring two goals and registering one assist in the history of the tournament.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy & Manchester City)
Unbelievably, Gianluigi Donnarumma made his Italy debut at 17-year-old in 2016 and 10 years later, he still hasn't played at the World Cup.
While he has enjoyed international success, starring in the Euros final where his nation beat England on penalties, he and Italy will miss out on a third successive World Cup campaign.
Sandro Tonali (Italy & Newcastle)
Sandro Tonali scored the opener in Italy's 2-0 win over Northern Ireland that took the nation within touching distance of the World Cup, but he and his teammates were rather ineffective in their side's decisive defeat to Bosnia.
Italy's absence in the World Cup does mean that Tonali will be able to focus on his future in the summer, reportedly subject to interest from Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Alessandro Bastoni (Italy & Inter Milan)
It's quite astonishing that Alessandro Bastoni has featured in more UEFA Champions League finals (one) than World Cup games (zero), and he is largely at fault for Italy's absence this summer.
The Inter defender was dismissed in the 41st minute of their contest with Bosnia following a reckless challenge as the last man, leading to Italy's demise on the night.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria & Galatasaray)
Nigeria's defeat to DR Congo back in November ruled out their World Cup chances, where they would have joined Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in the group stage.
This means that Victor Osimhen, who scored four goals and registered two assists at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, will not feature in America.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary & Liverpool)
Dominik Szoboszlai has arguably enjoyed his best season to date since joining Liverpool, scoring 12 goals and recording eight assists, but he and Hungary will not be going to the World Cup.
It marks the 10th consecutive World Cup campaign that they won't be a part of, last playing at the tournament in 1986, where they exited in the group stage.
Milos Kerkez (Hungary & Liverpool)
Milos Kerkez joins Liverpool and Hungary teammate Szoboszlai in missing the World Cup, but they will hope to end the season strongly at club level, with the UEFA Champions League final set to be held at Budapest's Puskas Arena in May.
