See Top Stars Missing From 2026 World Cup

See Top Stars Missing From 2026 World Cup
Four teams from the UEFA playoffs and two intercontinental winners are expected to complete the lineup in March
The absence of Victor Osimhen at the world cup is be a big embarrassment

Less than seven months remain until the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the group-stage draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington, DC.

Eko Hot Blog reports that four teams from the UEFA playoffs and tow intercomtinental winners are expected to completete the lineup in Macrh, bringing the total number of participating nations to 42.

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From holders Argentina and fierce rivals Brazil to Euro 2024 winners Spain and France, all of the so-called elite nations will be there.

The top stars that won’t be shining in North America come summer time include.

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

See Top Stars Missing From 2026 World Cup

The Super Eagles will miss out on 2 world cup tournaments in a row after suffering a final African play-off defeat to DR Congo.

The Nigerian National team initially looked favourite for the final intercontinental playoff in March after seeing off Gabon, but the Congolese shattered their dreams in a tough game that was ultimately decided on penalties.

Perhaps, the story might have been different if Osimhen had not missed 3 qualifier games due to injury; it shows how overreliant the team is on him.

The absence of Victor Osimhen at the world cup is be a big embarrassment, as the Nigerian striker is considered one of the biggest in the world of football at the moment.

He scored eight goals in qualifying, but the rest of the Nigeria squad did not match his high standards.

Osimhen will be 30 by the time the next World Cup rolls around, and his prime years with the national team might have gone to waste from a global perspective.

Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)

See Top Stars Missing From 2026 World Cup

Only a few players had done more to drag their nation towards North America than Szoboszlai. Hungary were literally seconds away from nabbing the runners-up spot after Portugal annihilated Armenia 9-1 to claim top spot, only to be denied by Troy Parrot’s last minute brilliance. Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai was seen breaking down in tears.

The World Cup ticket would have been a perfect reward for his five goal contributions from six games, including a spectacular stoppage-time equalizer against Portugal.

Milos Kerkez, Szoboszlai’s teammate at Liverpool, too made an impression, but Hungary ultimately fell victim to complacency and will now have their wait for a 10th World Cup finals outing extend to 44 years.

Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)

See Top Stars Missing From 2026 World Cup

Bryan Mbeumo switched allegiance to Cameroon in 2022. There might be a part of him that regrets that choice after three years.

Cameroon faced DR Congo in the CAF play-offs after being defeated by Cape Verde to earn automatic qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Mbeumo, along with Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Manchester United loaned goalkeeper, Andre Onana played the entire ninety minutes, but Chancel Mbemba’s stoppage-time goal gave DR Congo a 1-0 victory.

Mbeumo, who has only scored seven goals for Cameroon in 27 games so far, missed a clear opportunity in the second half and gained notoriety for racing down the tunnel following the final whistle. The Cameroonians have participated in eight worldcups, more than any African Country, yet their current squad is nothing compared to those from the past.

Benjamin Sesko (Slovenia)

This is the most difficult time in Benjamin Sesko’s early career. After moving from RB Leipzig to Manchester United in the summer, the 22-year-old has struggled to establish himself at Old Trafford and has not been able to regain his confidence while playing for Slovenia.

Sesko participated in every minute of Slovenia’s first four World Cup qualifying games, although the squad only managed three points out of a potential twelve, with no goals or assists.

Then, in November, he suffered a knee injury that prevented him from doing anything but watch from the sidelines as Slovenia was defeated 2-0 at home by Kosovo, eliminating their slim hopes of qualifying for the tournament.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the driving force behind Georgia’s journey to the round of sixteen at Euro 2024, making them one of the surprise packages. However, the Paris Saint-Germain winger will not be showcasing his skills on the biggest platform of all at the World Cup next summer.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)

One of the best strikers of his time, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has never participated in a World Cup.

Given Gabon’s most recent failure to qualify, it is realistic to assume that the 36-year-old will retire without doing so.

After finishing second in their group, only one point behind Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon secured a berth in the CAF play-offs.

Aubameyang scored seven goals for them, including an incredible quadruple in an exciting 4-3 victory away to Gambia.

Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

Throughout his illustrious career, Alexis Sanchez has had successful stints with Barcelona, Arsenal, and Inter. He also excelled for Chile during the 2014 World Cup. However, the forward, who is now 36 years old, will not be able to take that platform once more.

Chile finished last in the CONMEBOL standings with just 11 points from 18 games, narrowly missing out on qualifying for both the 2018 and 2022 finals. Sanchez missed their first eight games due to a severe calf injury, and after new manager Nicolas Cordova took over in September, he was completely cut from the team. He was a shadow of his former self, but he did play in a 2-0 reverse at Bolivia and a 1-0 home loss to Argentina.

Chile seem to be starting a new chapter without him, even though he hasn’t formally resigned from international service.

Keylor Navas (Costa Rica)

Keylor Navas intended to participate in his fourth World Cup when he came out of international retirement in May 2025.

Despite being 38 years old and nearing the end of his career with Pumas in Mexico, the three-time Champions League champion goalkeeper was promptly reinstated as Costa Rica’s captain for their qualifying campaign as they sought to capitalize on the three top CONCACAF teams being co-hosts and not participating.

Even though Navas only let up six goals in his six qualifying games, Costa Rica only won one game. As a result, they finished third in Group C, behind winners Haiti and Honduras.