The 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico will see some of football’s biggest stars absent from the global stage. Among them is Robert Lewandowski, Poland’s legendary striker, who could be playing in his final major international tournament. Other notable players also failed to qualify, highlighting the harsh realities of international football.
Lewandowski’s Heartbreaking Exit
Robert Lewandowski, the 37-year-old Barcelona striker, has been one of the most prolific forwards of the past 15 years, scoring 89 goals for Poland. Despite his stellar career, including ten Bundesliga titles and two La Liga wins with Barcelona, he could not guide Poland to the 2026 World Cup.
In the play-off final against Sweden in Stockholm, Poland lost 3-2, leaving Lewandowski and his teammates devastated. Having captained Poland in previous tournaments, including the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Lewandowski’s absence marks the end of an era for the national team.
Other Star Players Missing the World Cup
Several other elite players also failed to make it to the finals:
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy): Despite being a standout goalkeeper for Manchester City and Italy’s Euro 2020 hero, Donnarumma will miss another World Cup after Italy fell to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a play-off.
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea): One of Europe’s most prolific strikers with 62 Bundesliga goals in three seasons, Guirassy’s Guinea exited in the first round of African qualifiers.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia): The PSG star who helped his team win the European Champions title will not feature as Georgia struggled in qualifying, earning just three points in a tough group.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria): After an impressive season with Galatasaray, Osimhen and Nigeria missed out on the finals following a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary): Liverpool midfielder Szoboszlai’s Hungary failed to secure a play-off spot after conceding two late goals against the Republic of Ireland.
Honourable Mentions and Surprising Absences
The tournament will also be missing other high-profile names, including:
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak (Slovenia)
Left-back Milos Kerkez (Hungary)
Centre-back Nikola Milenkovic (Serbia)
Defender Willi Orban (Hungary)
Full-back Ola Aina (Nigeria)
Midfielder Sandro Tonali (Italy)
Winger Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
These absences demonstrate that even world-class talent cannot guarantee World Cup participation. The 2026 finals will be a celebration of football, but it will be without some of the sport’s brightest stars.
