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Stars at Risk: Big Names May Miss 2026 World Cup
3 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Many top players face missing the 2026 World Cup due to qualifying failures.
- Neymar's fitness struggles and inconsistent form put his Brazil spot in doubt.
- Key players like Kante and Pogba may be excluded from France's squad.
The upcoming 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, will still see several high-profile players miss out. Nations like Georgia, Slovenia, and Guinea have already been eliminated in qualifying, dashing the World Cup dreams of stars such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Jan Oblak. Their absence highlights the fierce competition in global football.
Other prominent figures face uncertainty through play-offs. Italy, with Gianluigi Donnarumma and Riccardo Calafiori, must navigate challenging playoff matches to reach the finals. Similarly, Sweden, led by Dejan Kulusevski, and Poland, featuring Robert Lewandowski, are in play-off contention. Neymar's participation for Brazil is also in doubt due to persistent injuries and a dip in form.
Further complicating squad selections are fierce domestic competitions and injury concerns. England faces tough choices in midfield and defense, while France might be without Paul Pogba due to his doping ban. Germany's Manuel Neuer and Marc-Andre ter Stegen face national team selection questions. Players like James Maddison and Levi Colwill are racing against time to recover from ACL injuries.
