In the world of football, few moments are as disappointing as seeing top talent miss out on the grand stage of the World Cup. Among these is Italy’s 27-year-old captain, who has gained a reputation as one of the finest goalkeepers globally. Following a prominent transfer to Manchester City, he has seamlessly adjusted to the Premier League’s demands for adept ball-playing—a skill he initially developed at Paris Saint-Germain. Despite his stunning penalty-saving feats during Euro 2020, Donnarumma could not stop any shots against Bosnia and Herzegovina during the crucial World Cup qualifying playoffs for the Azzurri.
Jon Aramburu (Right-Back, Venezuela)
The 23-year-old defender emerged as a key player during the Copa América 2024, showcasing his versatility by excelling as both a left-back and right-back. His fierce defensive approach and relentless work ethic have made him an invaluable player for Real Sociedad. Unfortunately, despite his impressive talents, Venezuela fell short in the World Cup inter-confederation playoffs, missing out by just two points.
Edmond Tapsoba (Central Defence, Burkina Faso)
The Bayer Leverkusen defender has made a name for himself as one of Europe’s top ball-playing centre-backs, playing a vital role in his club’s domestic achievements under manager Xabi Alonso in the 2023-24 season. At 27, he is recognized for his poise and impressive passing ability. However, despite his outstanding performances, Burkina Faso was unable to secure a spot at their first-ever World Cup.
Riccardo Calafiori (Central Defence, Italy)
After a remarkable season at Bologna, Calafiori transferred to Arsenal in 2024, quickly announcing his presence with a spectacular goal against Manchester City. The adaptable defender was instrumental in Arsenal’s title victory this year, making him the third Italian player to earn a Premier League medal. Following Italy’s disappointment of failing to qualify, Calafiori will take this summer to recuperate, though he has consolation in his club’s success.
Milos Kerkez (Left-Back, Hungary)
Renowned for his dynamic runs and crossing prowess, the 22-year-old Liverpool player embodies the modern attacking full-back. He has consistently delivered strong performances in the English Premier League since his tenure at Bournemouth. Unfortunately, Hungary did not qualify for the World Cup, finishing third in a group dominated by Portugal.
Carlos Baleba (Central Defensive Midfield, Cameroon)
Establishing himself as a formidable presence in the center of Brighton’s midfield, Baleba has drawn parallels with elite defensive midfielders. His aptitude for disrupting play and quick transitions makes him essential for both club and country. Yet, despite his dominant physical presence and development over the past season, he will miss the finals as one of Africa’s most promising young talents.
Marcelino Núñez (Midfield, Chile)
The Chilean playmaker has been the creative force for both Ipswich and his national team. Celebrated for his vision and proficiency in set-pieces, Núñez provides the technical flair that is often lacking in central areas for Chile. As the golden generation of Chilean football begins to wane, he emerges as a vital bridge to the future for La Roja.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Midfield, Hungary)
Szoboszlai stood out as one of the few bright spots in Liverpool’s lackluster Premier League title defense, known for his remarkable set-piece deliveries, including spectacular free-kicks against Arsenal and Manchester City. As captain of Hungary, his absence will significantly diminish the team’s flair, having showcased his ability to impact games with long-range brilliance. Despite contributing five goals in six matches, Hungary’s failure to qualify extends their World Cup drought to 40 years.
Furthermore, Ademola Lookman, after his historic hat-trick in the Europa League final for Atalanta, has become a sought-after transfer target, with clubs eager to secure his explosive speed and finishing skills. He was a standout performer for Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals and providing four assists, but the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the World Cup marks the first time since 1990 that they will miss consecutive tournaments.
Victor Osimhen (Striker, Nigeria)
Osimhen is widely celebrated as one of football’s most lethal strikers, posing challenges even for the most formidable defenders. Now leading the attack at Galatasaray after a series of unsuccessful transfer attempts, he remains a prolific scorer, netting eight goals during the qualification rounds. However, one wonders how different the outcome might have been had he not missed five qualifying matches due to injury—each of which resulted in lost points for Nigeria.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Winger, Georgia)
The 25-year-old winger joined Paris Saint-Germain with a reputation for his unselfish play and industrious nature. Known for his ability to change the course of a match with a single moment of brilliance, he has consistently performed well on significant European nights and is now a two-time Champions League champion. Despite scoring twice in qualifying, Georgia finished a distant third in their group.
Honorable mentions include: Jan Oblak (Slovenia), Illia Zabarnyi (Ukraine), Matty Cash (Poland), Konstantinos Karetsas (Greece), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria), Christian Eriksen (Denmark), Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), Robert Lewandowski (Poland).
