As emotions compound ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament, some high-profile players who are usually tagged “fans’ favourites” will be missing out as their respective countries failed to qualify.
One of the greatest strikers in the last decade, FC Barcelona and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, is among the big names whose country failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
TVC News, in this article, highlights the high-profile players who have performed wonderfully well in their respective clubs, but couldn’t push their countries to the World Cup tournament.
Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Barcelona)
The 37-year-old Barcelona striker, who has scored 89 goals in 165 appearances for his country, missed the tournament after his side lost 3-2 in Stockholm against Sweden in Tuesday’s play-off final.
Lewandowski has won two La Liga titles with Barcelona, 10 German Bundesliga titles, twice with Borussia Dortmund and eight successive seasons with Bayern Munich.
With his near-retirement age, the striker may have played in his last major international tournament.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray and Nigeria)
The Nigerian striker, after an impressive club run in the last few years, has emerged as one of the most talked-about forwards in the last decade.
Victor Osimhen, despite ranking in 8th position in the 2023 Ballon d’Or, helped Napoli win Serie A in 2023 before moving to Galatasaray, where he grabbed 26 goals in 30 games to take them to the Turkish title last season. He also didn’t qualify for the World Cup.
Nigeria drew five of their 10 matches in the first group phase as they finished one point behind winners South Africa, but then had a second chance in the following play-off.
With Osimhen already substituted, Nigeria lost on penalties to DR Congo to miss out on the World Cup.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City and Italy)
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season since he moved from Paris St-Germain for £26m in September, after helping the French club win the Champions League last season.
Despite his impressive run in the last five years and winning the Ballon d’Or Yahin Trophy for best goalkeeper twice, both in 2021 and 2025, he failed to push his country to the World Cup after Italy lost 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday.
Donnatumma was also named player of the tournament as Italy won the 2020 European Championship.
Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund and Guinea)
Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy has established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific strikers in world football, with 62 goals in the German Bundesliga over the past three seasons, and netting 13 goals in the Champions League in 2024-25.
He also emerged as the highest goal scorer alongside Barcelona forward Raphael Raphinha.
Despite his impressive club run, he will miss out on the World Cup after his country finished fourth in the first round of African qualifying, with only four wins and three draws from their 10 matches.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris St-Germain and Georgia)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia helped Paris St-Germain become European champions last season, scoring in the 5-0 final win over Inter Milan, and he came 12th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.
But Georgia had a miserable campaign in World Cup qualifying as they only picked up three points from a group that contained Spain, Turkey and Bulgaria.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool and Hungary)
Liverpool and Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has impressed this season and scored some stunning long-range goals.
But he will not be at the World Cup after his country let a 2-1 lead slip in their final group game with the Republic of Ireland scoring twice in injury time to clinch a spot in the play-offs and eliminate Hungary.
