Donnarumma, Lewandowski, Osimhen headline list of stars who will miss the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

The World Cup is football's biggest stage but some huge names will play no part in this summer's spectacle.

Robert Lewandowski - Poland

Have we seenRobert Lewandowski for the final time at a World Cup? It appears likely.

Poland missed out on the tournament after a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Sweden in their play-off, with Lewandowski unable to turn the game in his country's favour.

One of the greatest goalscorers of all time, Lewandowski has scored a record-breaking 89 goals in 165 caps for Poland. He was in tears at the full-time whistle in Stockholm, a defeat which could conclude the 37-year-old's international career.

Gianluigi Donnarumma - Italy

One of football's proudest nations will miss the World Cup for a third consecutive edition. It's an astonishing statistic, with Italy beaten on penalties by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their play-off.

Donnarumma was unable to save a spot-kick as the Azzurri lost 4-1 on penalties, with Bryan Cristante and Francesco Pio Esposito both off target. It means the reigning Yashin Trophy winner will miss the World Cup and his wait for an appearance at the tournament goes on.

Italy's last World Cup appearance ended in a group-stage exit in 2014. Their last knockout game at the tournament was the 2006 final, when the Italians claimed a fourth world title.

Dominik Szoboszlai - Hungary

Dominik Szboszlai has shone in a disappointingLiverpool team this season and also carried much of the expectation for Hungary in qualifying.

Szoboszlai scored once and provided four assists in six games for Hungary, but Marco Rossi's side blew a late lead to lose to Ireland in their final fixture and miss the play-offs.

Victor Osimhen - Nigeria

Nigeria are arguably Africa's most high-profile absentee from the tournament as the Super Eagles endured a tough qualification campaign.

A series of draws condemned Nigeria to the play-offs, where they were beaten on penalties by DR Congo.

Osimhen, who scoredseven goals in 10 Champions League games this season for Galatasaray, is yet to appear in a World Cup after Nigeria also missed out in 2022. He will be 31 when the next tournament comes around.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Georgia

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inspired Georgia to a first-ever major tournament after reaching Euro 2024, where the underdogs upset the odds to make the knockout stages.

TheParis Saint-Germain superstar was unable to repeat the feat in World Cup qualification, as Georgia won just once in six group games.