The 2026 World Cup is just a few months away, and while the biggest stage will bring about the biggest stars, not all of them will be representing their nations in North America this summer.
Neymar Júnior of Santos reacts during the Brasileirao 2025 match between Santos and Palmeiras
Neymar is at risk of missing out on a place in the Brazil squad for the World Cup(Image: (Photo by Ana Julia Guerreiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images))
View 6 Images
The World Cup is where many of the greatest players in history have cemented their legacies. But for every Leo Messi at Qatar 2022, there is a George Weah, Ryan Giggs or Eric Cantona - players who never appeared on the biggest stage during their glittering careers.
With many domestic seasons in full tilt, there will be players cruelly axed from the biggest ever World Cup in North America due to injuries and lack of form. And the play-offs in March provide further jeopardy for more high-profile stars who could potentially miss out on the 48-team tournament.
Here's a look at some of the biggest stars who risk missing out on the tournament, or have already missed their chance to book tickets for the World Cup.
Author avatar
Author avatar
Neymar - Brazil
Neymar has been lauded as one of the best players of his generation, and for good reason. The forward could light up a game with the sort of trickery that has become well associated with the top stars coming out of Brazil.
However, now at 34 years of age, there is growing uncertainty over his place in the national team ahead of what could be his final World Cup. Neymar has been struggling with injury issues over the past few seasons, and while a return to Santos came with the hope of rebounding, it hasn't quite had that effect - yet.
Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that he won't be carrying players through the tournament, however, as the barrage of questions over the star's possible inclusion in the squad continue. It means Neymar has an uphill battle to be among those on the plane to the World Cup this summer, just 12 years on from making his bow in his home tournament.
SANTOS, BRAZIL - DECEMBER 7: Neymar Junior of Santos looks on during the Brasileirao 2025 match between Santos and Cruzeiro at Urbano Caldeira Stadium (Vila Belmiro) on December 7, 2025 in Santos, Brazil. (Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images)(Image: (Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images))
View 6 Images
Alexander Isak - Sweden
Sweden are facing a battle to book their place at the World Cup, after a disappointing qualification campaign that ended in turmoil. The side finished bottom of their group with just two points to their name, as Switzerland, Kosovo, and Slovenia all finished above them.
With Graham Potter in interim charge, Sweden have a lifeline for the World Cup, thanks to the UEFA Nations League, which has put them in the mix for qualification. They take on Ukraine in March internationals for a place in the final of their bracket, which will be a crucial match.
Alexander Isak faces a race to get back fit and firing in time, after picking up a serious leg injury. Meanwhile, other high-profile teammates such as Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres and injured Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski also face the possibility of not going to the World Cup, unless their form changes dramatically.
Bryan Mbeumo - Cameroon
Cameroon missed out on qualifying for the World Cup, after a surprise exit from QAF qualifiers. The African nation have featured at six World Cups, with a quarter-final appearance in 1990.
That means stars such as Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba won't be featuring at the tournament, despite their impressive campaigns so far this season for Manchester United and Brighton.
RABAT, MOROCCO - JANUARY 9: Bryan Mbeumo of Cameroon during the Africa Cup Of Nations Quarter-final match between Cameroon and Morocco at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on January 9, 2026 in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)(Image: (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images))
View 6 Images
Gianluigi Donnarumma
It would be inconceivable to suggest that a nation with the history of Italy would miss another World Cup, and yet, that is a distinct possibility. The Azzurri haven't played in the tournament since 2014, missing the 2018 and 2022 editions through the qualification stages.
Here they are again, looking at the need to get through a play-off round to get through to the tournament for the first time in 12 years. Manchester City star Gianluigi Donnarumma, who signed from PSG for £25million last summer, gives them a chance, but the pressure that comes with needing to win the upcoming matches will test even their most notable stars.
Robert Lewandowski - Poland
Robert Lewandowski is a modern-day great, having shown his quality on both the club and international stage. The striker has often faced a battle to drag Poland through some tough moments, but they have managed to qualify for the past two tournaments, appearing in 2018 and 2022.
At 37, this is more than likely the final chance for Lewandowski to show his quality at the World Cup, but he risks missing out altogether. Poland will need to get past Albania in their first play-off game, before having the possibility of a one-off knockout match to book a place at the finals.
Dominik Szoboszlai - Hungary
Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai has made himself a household name in England, ever since making his move to the Premier League. Despite his moments of individual brilliance, he won't be making an appearance with Hungary at the World Cup this summer, following a tough qualification group.
A 3-2 defeat at the hands of Ireland in the final kick of their final match ensured they won't be able to qualify, and will have to try again for 2030. Szoboszlai admitted the experience was "very tough", with the Liverpool ace left thinking what could have been for the upcoming tournament.
Dominik Szoboszlai of Hungary reacts after the third goal during the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers match at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on November 16, 2025. (Photo by Robert Szaniszlo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)(Image: (Photo by Robert Szaniszlo/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
View 6 Images
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia - Georgia
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and his Georgia side excited plenty of fans during the European Championships in 2024, but there will be no repeat of that this summer. The national team failed to book their place at the World Cup this summer, after finishing third in their group.
It was a tough ask for the PSG star and his compatriots, who had Spain and Turkiye in their group, along with Bulgaria, as they picked up just three points. With no route through the play-offs available, Georgia will have to put their World Cup dreams aside for another tournament.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - England
England have struggled to get the best out of Trent Alexander-Arnold so far, while finding a space to fit him in the team on a regular basis. The right-back was deployed in midfield at times by Gareth Southgate, who often preferred other full-backs during his tenure as the head coach.
While Thomas Tuchel is now in charge, the Real Madrid star has only received one call-up to his squad so far, coming in June 2025. With a mixture of injury issues and form concerns, there is a real chance that the 27-year-old misses out on the squad altogether for the summer.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: Trent Alexander-Arnold of England during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)(Image: (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images))
View 6 Images
Brennan Johnson - Wales
Wales are once again reliant on the qualification play-off route if they are to compete at the 2026 World Cup. They took it close, picking up an impressive 15 points from eight group games, but finished two points shy of the eventual winners, Belgium.
The task ahead for the home nation is a clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina, before a possible tie that will be a one-off final for a place in the tournament. Premier League stars such as Brennan Johnson, Harry Wilson, and Ethan Ampadu will be keen to fire Wales to their second consecutive World Cup, with those play-off games taking place in March.
Johnson may be the nation's main hope of qualifying, having made the move from Tottenham to Crystal Palace for £35million in the January transfer window. With an opportunity for more minutes and a return to form, he could take that momentum into the March internationals with Wales at an important time.
Mikel Merino - Spain
Mikel Merino has been a mainstay for the Spain national team, having shown quality in the midfield, and a finishing touch in the opposition box. That has translated over to his form for Arsenal, where he has played as an auxiliary striker at times, alongside his usual role as a midfielder.
While there is some hope that he will feature at the World Cup, there are doubts over his availability. Merino has picked up an injury, with a fractured bone in his foot, causing some discomfort, which will require a procedure to ensure that he can return to action as quickly as possible.
Despite those hopes, some reports in Spain have claimed that Merino could miss the rest of the season, and will be facing a race against time to get fit and available for the World Cup.
Mikel Merino central midfield of Spain and Arsenal FC during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Spain and Türkiye at Estadio de La Cartuja on November 18, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)(Image: (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
View 6 Images
Conor Bradley - Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland earned themselves a chance at booking a place in the World Cup this summer by finishing as one of the best third-placed teams in the UEFA qualification stages. They managed to pick up nine points in six games in a group that included Germany, Slovakia and Luxembourg.
Their reward for that achievement... a clash with Italy in the first round of the qualification play-offs. It'll be a tough test, but one that can be done, as the Azzurri have shown through their recent downfalls in these play-off rounds.
That challenge is made tougher, however, through the absence of Conor Bradley. The defender picked up a serious knee injury that will see him out of action until next season at the earliest, with the Liverpool star only able to watch on and hope that his national team can pull off a miracle.
Kenan Yildiz - Turkiye
Turkiye have been viewed as potential dark horses in recent competitions, but they haven't quite been able to turn that into results. There is a chance to do so at the World Cup, but they will also need to get through the qualification play-offs to give themselves an opportunity to do so.
They take on Romania first up, with hope that they can lean on some of their best talent to step up and do the business. Kenan Yildiz is certainly one of those for his national team, with the youngster proving his quality for Juventus, while attracting attention from clubs across Europe.
Translating that onto the national stage would be the next step on his way to stardom, but he risks missing a World Cup if he cannot.
Rasmus Hojlund - Denmark
Denmark suffered heartbreak late on in their qualification clash with Scotland, which saw them lose their grasp on a place at the World Cup. An almighty collapse in their final two games resulted in the unlikely drop into the play-offs, where they will now face North Macedonia.
Some familiar faces are in the Denmark camp, such as Rasmus Hojlund, Christian Eriksen, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. They will be leaning on that experience and quality to get them through the upcoming matches, while burying the demons that were left from their defeat to Scotland.