😱 The incredible home-stayers XI: £600m team missing out on the World Cup | OneFootball

Not every football legend makes it to a World Cup. George Best or Alfredo di Stefano could sing a sorrowful song about that.

However, absence doesn't automatically mean being forgotten. Our top eleven gathers players whose nations will not participate in the big tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.

And who knows: Maybe this selection, with a market value of a whopping 600 million euros, might even have a chance to compete for the most coveted trophy in North and Central America – the World Cup!

Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak (Slovenia)

One of the world's best goalkeepers of the past decade will likely be forever denied a World Cup appearance. It's unlikely that Jan Oblak will make it to a final round with Slovenia again.

Center Back: Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso)

Through his time at Bayer Leverkusen, Edmond Tapsoba knows perfectly how to function as the right part of a three-man central defense. Maybe one day he will be able to demonstrate this versatility at a World Cup.

Center Back: Nikola Milenković (Serbia)

As the defensive leader, Nikola Milenković played a significant role in Nottingham Forrest's strong performances last season. However, the Serbian team, which is actually well-staffed, didn't fare well in the World Cup qualifiers.

Center Back: Milos Kerkez (Hungary)

Here we're bending the rules a bit by placing a trained full-back in the left position of the three-man defense. If you fail at the last second against Ireland, you have to step out of your comfort zone.

📸 David Balogh - 2025 Getty Images

Defensive Midfielder: Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)

The young midfield enforcer already has a market value of 60 million euros and is attracting the interest of almost all top European clubs. Missing out on the World Cup won't change that for Cameroon.

Defensive Midfielder: Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)

Dominik Szoboszlai will likely watch the World Cup next summer from his couch at home. But the last-minute collapse of the Hungarians leaves the FC Liverpool superstar with no other choice.

Right Midfielder: Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)

At Manchester United, the 75-million-man has made a big impact so far. Will he be even stronger in his second season? The Cameroonian will certainly have a sufficiently long preparation period.

Attacking Midfielder: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)

The rapid rise of Georgian football has taken a big hit with the missed World Cup qualification. And let's be honest: not being able to see a player like Kvaratskhelia is painful...

Left Midfielder: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)

A failed transfer to Inter, a major fallout with his own coach, and now missing the World Cup with Nigeria – Ademola Lookman's football year could definitely have gone better.

Striker: Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)

Serhou Guirassy is also among those players for whom a lot has to come together to make it to a World Cup again. In four years, the BVB star from Guinea will likely have his last chance.

Striker: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

It's quite surprising that Nigeria, with superstars like Lookman and Victor Osimhen, didn't qualify for the World Cup. Were there perhaps higher powers at play? National coach Éric Chelle is convinced of it!

What do you think: How far would this hypothetical team make it in the 2026 World Cup? Let us know in the comments!

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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