GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JUNE 26: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Georgia scores his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Georgia and Portugal at Arena AufSchalke on June 26, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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The World Cup is all about showcasing the planet’s best soccer players.
But not all of the best players will be at the 48-team tournament, which starts on June 11. Injuries and the failure of certain nations to qualify will rob millions and millions of fans the joy of watching several of the world’s most talented players this summer.
The failure of Italy to qualify for a third straight World Cup will mean that several top players will miss the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Failure to qualify isn’t the only reason. The long European club season certainly hasn’t helped as injuries, especially over the past few months, means players will miss out on what can often be a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Xavi Simons of Tottenham Hotspur reacts on the floor with a injury during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux on April 25, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
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Here are five players who will miss out on the tournament:
Xavi Simons, one of the biggest young stars from the Netherlands, plays as an attacking midfielder and became known after starring for PSV Eindhoven, RB Leipzig and later Tottenham Hotspur. He has also become a regular for the Dutch national team.
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Simons will not play at the World Cup after suffering a serious right knee injury, diagnosed with a ruptured ACL during a Premier League match for Spurs last month. Simons himself said he was “heartbroken” to miss the tournament.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Milos Kerkez during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
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Known for his pace and dribbling abilities, Ekitike is a French striker who this season made a name for himself as a key contributor for Premier League side Liverpool. Despite France being a star-studded team, Ekitike’s absence will have an impact on the team.
The reason he is expected to miss the World Cup comes after a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered during last month’s Liverpool’s Champions League match against PSG.
PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 09: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa FC at Parc des Princes on April 09, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Not all players are missing the World Cup because of injury. In the case of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, it’s because Georgia failed to qualify for the World Cup. A wily winger, he is famous for his dribbling, creativity and goals for his country and club PSG.
Georgia failed to qualify for the World Cup after they finished third in their UEFA qualifying group, behind Spain and Turkey. Only the group winner qualified automatically, while runner-ups advanced to the playoffs.
Italy's midfielder #08 Sandro Tonali celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the play-off FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification semi-final football match between Italy and North Ireland at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, on March 26, 2026. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images)
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The Italian midfielder, who plays for Newcastle, has been a key player for his club and country. Tonali returned to the game after serving a 10-month suspension related to illegal betting violations while with AC Milan.
Italy’s World Cup qualification campaign was yet another disappointment. They finished behind Norway in their UEFA qualifying group, then lost in the European playoffs, which eliminated them from the World Cup. This became the third straight World Cup the Azzurri will miss after 2018 and 2022.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JUNE 12: Rodrygo #10 of Brazil celebrates after scoring a goal against the United States during the Continental Clasico 2024 game at Camping World Stadium on June 12, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.(Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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Brazil produces strikers like a freezer makes ice. Nonetheless, one of Brazil’s most-talented players won’t be on the World Cup roster. The Real Madrid forward was widely projected to be part of Brazil’s attacking squad alongside players such as Vinicius Jr. and Endrick.
Those plans came to an end when Rodrygo tore his ACL in his right knee in March during Getafe’s shock 1-0 victory over Real Madrid. In a social media post, he wrote: “A huge obstacle has arisen in my life, in my career, and it prevents me from doing what I love most for a while. I’m out … of the World Cup with my country, a dream which everyone knows how much it means to me. All I can do is be strong as always; that’s nothing new.”
Clemente Lisi is the author of "The World Cup: A History of the Planet’s Biggest Sporting Event, 2026 Edition."
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