The World Cup will feature many of the planet's best talents, but there is a whole host of world-class names who will be watching from the sidelines.
We've put together a best XI of players missing from the 2026 World Cup, from non-qualifiers to non-selections, and those cruelly ruled out through injury.
World Cup 2026’s Missing Stars: Donnarumma, Foden, Kvaratskhelia and a Dream XI left at home
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma - Italy
It was agony for Italy again as the Azzurri lost to Bosnia in the play-offs. Having gone 60 years without missing a World Cup before 2018, the Italians have not missed three consecutive tournaments.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is arguably the sole world-class talent in their current ranks, and is yet to play at a World Cup finals.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold - England
Trent Alexander-Arnold's international career has never truly taken off, with both Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel failing to trust the Real Madrid right-back. Alexander-Arnold is a unique talent but one at risk of being wasted by the Three Lions.
Centre-back: Eder Militao - Brazil
Eder Militao has been beset by injuries in recent seasons, including ACL issues in both knees. The Brazilian was ruled out of the World Cup after undergoing surgery on biceps femoris muscle injury in April. His rotten luck continues.
Centre-back: Alessandro Bastoni - Italy
The second of four Italians to feature in this side. Alessandro Bastoni has been named Serie A's Best Defender twice in the last three seasons and was part of Inter Milan's 2025/26 title-winning team.
Left-back: Riccardo Calafiori - Italy
Another title winner across Europe's top-five leagues this season, Riccardo Calafiori helped Arsenal end their 22-year wait for the Premier League title. However, his fortunes were less impressive with Italy, who failed to make the World Cup once more.
Midfield: Sandro Tonali - Italy
There has been tentative talk about Sandro Tonali costing interested clubs £100m this summer. The Newcastle dynamo certainly belongs on the big stage, but won't get that chance this summer. Italian football is badly in need of a reset.
Midfield: Dominik Szobozlai - Hungary
Partnering Tonali in our lung-busting midfield partnership is Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian was head-and-shoulders above his Liverpool teammates for much of the 2025/26 campaign, but was unable to captain the national side to World Cup qualification.
Right-wing: Phil Foden - England
If you'd said two seasons ago that Phil Foden would miss out on England's World Cup squad, people would have said you were made.
Foden was the Premier League's finest talent in 2023/24 and the PFA Player of the Year, but he's unable to reach those highs since. Thomas Tuchel has admitted he does not know Foden's best position, a repeated problem for England managers.
Left-wing: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Georgia
Perhaps the biggest omission from this summer's showcase. The gifted Georgian is a genuine Ballon d'Or contender after starring during Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League triumph.
However, Kvaratskhelia might just be at a disadvantage for individual acclaim, with World Cups often having a decisive swing in Ballon d'Or voting.
Forward: Robert Lewandowski - Poland
It looks likely that we've seen Robert Lewandowski play at a World Cup for the final time. Poland missed out to Sweden in the play-offs and Lewandowski will be 42 by the time the next tournament rolls around.
He'll spend the summer assessing his next club, having departed Barcelona after 120 goals across four seasons.
Forward: Victor Osimhen - Nigeria
Victor Osimhen leads the line alongside Lewandowski in our side. Nigeria's penalty heartbreak against DR Congo cost the Super Eagles a World Cup berth.
Osimhen will not have the opportunity to add to his 35 goals in just 51 games for Nigeria this summer.