Biggest stars missing the World Cup: SN's best lineup of absent players, including Ballon d'Or favourite

The World Cup is the pinnacle of global soccer — a showcase of the best national teams, and the outstanding players of this generation.

Mostly, anyway.

The very nature of a tournament for which teams must qualify means there are inevitably a few teams who are surprisingly absent (we're looking at you, Italy). There is also always a contingent of elite footballers who also miss out on the biggest stage, be it due to injury, their country's failure to qualify, or just the whims of a coach.

The Sporting News has picked through the standout players who will not be taking part in North America this summer and compiled something of an all-star lineup, complete with explanations as to why they will be watching the World Cup from home this year.

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Biggest stars missing the World Cup: Best XI of absent players

Here is our all-star lineup of players missing this year's World Cup. We've gone for a 4-3-3 formation. Frankly, this team would probably win the tournament...

G. Donnarumma

T. Alexander-Arnold, E. Militao, A. Bastoni, R. Calafiori

S. Tonali, E. Camavinga, D. Szoboszlai

P. Foden, R. Lewandowski, K. Kvaratskhelia

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City, Italy)

One of the finest shot-stopping goalkeeper in the world, Donnarumma has yet to appear at the World Cup. Italy failed to qualify for a remarkable third-straight tournament after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in their playoff final. Donnarumma did his level best to keep their hopes alive in that game after they went down to 10 men, but it was not to be.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid, England)

Alexander-Arnold's time at Real Madrid has not exactly gone swimmingly, but he did fight his way back to become first-choice right-back in the final weeks under Alvaro Arbeloa. That was not enough for him to convince Thomas Tuchel to pick him for England. Given the Three Lions' relative lack of strong full-back options, this is one of the calls that fans have struggled with the most.

MORE: Ivan Toney gets a chance but defensive worries persist — Inside England's World Cup squad

CB: Eder Militao (Real Madrid, Brazil)

Militao worked hard to return from serious knee injuries and then a torn thigh muscle in December last year, but he played just three more La Liga games until another hamstring tear left him with no option but to undergo surgery, ruling him out of Brazil contention.

MORE: The big names snubbed by Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti

CB: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan, Italy)

Bastoni received plenty of criticism in his homeland after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina ultimately led to Italy's playoff final failure, but pinning all the Azzurri's problems on the centre-back would be hugely unfair. After another fine season with Serie A champions Inter, Bastoni has been linked with both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

LB: Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal, Italy)

Another victim of Italy's continued problems, Calafiori is the sort of adaptable and capable defender most World Cup coaches would relish in their squads. Injury restricted his involvement in the second half of the season, but he still played a big role in Arsenal's first Premier League title win in 22 years and run to the Champions League final.

MORE: Why Arsenal ending their 22-year wait for the EPL title mattered so much

CM: Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United, Italy)

The number of Italian players on this list — and others who just missed out — only adds to the sense of bemusement at how they failed to qualify yet again. Newcastle had a tough season in 2025/26, but Tonali was largely a bright spark in midfield, and clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City have been linked with potential big-money offers.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid, France)

Camavinga's omission was the biggest surprise of Didier Deschamps' France roster. Although the midfielder has not always managed consistent form for Madrid, he is still an excellent player who provides defensive cover and control, not to mention effective use of possession. Other coaches would jump at the chance to have someone like Camavinga at the heart of their team.

RW: Phil Foden (Manchester City, England)

Foden had a handful of inspired performances late in City's season to make fans believe he might make Tuchel's squad, but he was overlooked in favour of attacking players who have shown more consistency. It is perhaps no bad thing that an overworked Foden, who has struggled to hit the heights of his spectacular 2023/24 form these past couple of years, will have a summer away from the spotlight.

CF: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, Poland)

Lewandowski is leaving Barcelona this year and, given he turns 38 in August, there is a feeling that his esteemed career at the highest level may be coming to an end. But it still feels wrong that the fourth-highest active international goal-scorer in men's soccer will not get the chance to play at one last major finals. Poland reached the final of their UEFA playoff path but lost a thrilling game 3-2 to Sweden.

LW: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain, Georgia)

Kvaratskhelia may be destined to join the list of world-class players who just don't get the chance to shine on the biggest stage. Georgia have never qualified for a World Cup and finished with one win and five defeats in UEFA qualifying Group E, so they were never particularly close to earning a spot in North America. It's a certifiable shame that Kvaratskhelia, fresh from another league and Champions League triumph with PSG and one of the favourites for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, will not be there.

MORE: Ballon d'Or power rankings: Harry Kane could cement top spot at World Cup

Substitutes

It was a real challenge deciding who should make this particular XI, and several players at least deserve an honourable mention — or, in this case, a spot on the bench — in recognition of the fact they won't be at the World Cup.

Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad, Spain), Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool, Netherlands), Harry Maguire (Manchester United, England), Rodrygo (Real Madrid, Brazil), Cole Palmer (Chelsea, England), Joao Pedro (Chelsea, England), Estevao (Chelsea, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Nigeria), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich, Germany)