Italy, Denmark, Nigeria among notable absentees from 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Italy fell to Bosnia on penalties on Tuesday, 1-1 after extra time and 1-4 in the shootout, so will miss 2026. L'Équipe notes that, even with 48 teams, other regulars will also be absent.

Denmark went out the same night, losing on spot-kicks to the Czech Republic after a 2-2 draw, 3-1 in the shootout. Ranked 20th and at the last two finals, they had been fancied to qualify.

Poland were beaten 3-2 by Sweden, decided by Viktor Gyökeres in the 88th minute, and will miss their first major tournament since 2014. The exit could hasten Robert Lewandowski’s farewell, the 37-year-old record holder posting a goodbye-like gesture on Instagram.

Serbia, at three of the four editions since 2006, did not make the play-offs, finishing behind England and Albania in the first phase.

Africa has 10 spots now, yet Nigeria again fell short despite recent AFCON runs and forwards Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) and Ademola Lookman (Atlético). They lost November’s play-off final to DR Congo after a 1-1 draw, 2-3 on penalties, having beaten Cameroon in the semis. Cameroon, World Cup participants in two of the last three editions and 1-0 winners over Brazil in Qatar, were also stopped by DR Congo, 0-1, in the final.

In South America, six of 10 qualifiers brought few shocks, though Peru disappointed and Chile will miss a third straight World Cup. Asia’s expansion from five to nine places produced no major surprises, while in Concacaf Costa Rica fell short after three straight appearances, edged out by Haiti and Honduras despite Mexico, the United States and Canada qualifying as hosts.

Source: L'Équipe