Italy, Nigeria and injuries leave big names out of World Cup 2026

Several high-profile players will not feature at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America after a mix of qualifying failures and serious injuries thinned the field ahead of the 48-team tournament in June and July. Italy’s continued absence and Nigeria’s playoff exit headline the list, ruling out Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sandro Tonali, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Poland’s Robert Lewandowski also miss out after their national teams fell short. Injuries have further reshaped plans for France, Brazil and the Netherlands, with Hugo Ekitike, Estevao, Rodrygo and Xavi Simons sidelined.

Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup removes one of the game’s traditional powers from the stage. A playoff shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina sealed the Azzurri’s fate, extending a finals drought that dates back to their last appearance in 2014. The absence of first-choice goalkeeper Donnarumma and midfielder Tonali underscores the scale of the miss for a nation accustomed to contending at major tournaments.

Poland also fell short in qualifying, preventing veteran striker Lewandowski from adding another World Cup to his distinguished international career. The Barcelona forward remains his country’s record scorer, but Poland’s campaign ended before the finals, closing the door on a potential last appearance on football’s biggest stage.

Nigeria’s firepower stays home after CAF playoffs

Nigeria’s hopes ended in the African playoffs with a penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a result, two of Africa’s most in-form attackers, Osimhen and Lookman, will not travel to North America. The Super Eagles miss consecutive World Cup finals for the first time in decades, a setback for a football-obsessed nation that has regularly supplied star talent to the tournament.

Kvaratskhelia’s wait for the World Cup continues

Georgia’s run fell short in European qualifying, leaving Kvaratskhelia—one of Europe’s most dangerous wide players—outside the World Cup for another cycle. The winger’s last major-tournament taste came in a breakout Euro 2024 campaign that reached the round of 16, but he remains without a World Cup appearance as Georgia continues to chase a first finals berth.

Injuries reshape France, Brazil and Netherlands plans

Injuries have hit several contenders. France forward Ekitike ruptured his Achilles tendon in April, cutting short a prolific club season and ending his World Cup bid. The Netherlands will be without Simons due to an ACL injury, depriving the squad of a versatile creator during a key development phase of his career.

Brazil, meanwhile, lose two attacking options. Teenager Estevao suffered a hamstring injury late in the season, while Rodrygo sustained a torn meniscus and ACL, removing both from consideration for the Seleção. The dual setback forces Brazil’s coaches to look deeper into an already competitive pool of wide forwards and second strikers.

The absences of these names will open doors for emerging players as final squad announcements near. Coaches are expected to lean on depth and adaptability to cover gaps, with the expanded 48-team format likely to showcase new storylines across the United States, Canada and Mexico.