The Serie A Stars Heading to World Cup 2026 Even if Italy Miss Out Again | OneFootball

Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup marks one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s football history. Once synonymous with the grandest stage of all, the four-time world champions will now watch a third consecutive tournament from home after a crushing playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

And yet, paradoxically, Serie A itself will remain impossible to ignore when the World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. From Inter and Milan to Juventus, Napoli, and Roma, Serie A clubs are packed with international stars expected to play leading roles for some of the strongest national teams on the planet.

ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Players of Italy show their dejection of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

So even without Italy, Serie A’s presence at the World Cup will still be everywhere: in the stars competing for the Golden Boot, the midfielders controlling knockout matches, and the defenders tasked with stopping the next generation of global icons.

Why Serie A Still Matters at the World Cup Without Italy

The absence of Italy from another World Cup is a significant talking point, but it does not diminish Serie A’s global influence on the tournament. Across the squads of qualifying nations, you will find players who have spent years developing in Italian football, sharpening their tactical understanding, physical edge, and leadership under some of the world’s most demanding coaches.

That means Serie A fans will still get to see the players they watch every weekend performing on football’s biggest stage. The league’s DNA will be visible in how several nations set up, press, and build from the back throughout the competition. Many gambling analysts and football followers are already tracking how these players could influence their nations’ campaigns.

The shift in narrative, from Italy being a contender to being absent, has already changed how bettors approach certain markets. If you want to bet on World Cup 2026, keeping a close eye on Serie A stars and their pre-tournament friendlies is a smart move. Odds on group-stage outcomes and individual awards can shift dramatically based on club form, injuries, and squad announcements.

Gambling on international tournaments rewards those who follow club football closely, and Serie A provides some of the richest contexts of any league in Europe.

Scott McTominay and Scotland’s Unlikely Run

Since joining Napoli from Manchester United, Scott McTominay has looked like a completely different player. The transformation has been visible in every area: composure, decision-making, and physical output. He was the defining figure in Scotland’s qualification campaign, stepping up when the pressure was at its highest and delivering when his nation needed him most.

One moment that perfectly captured his influence came in a decisive clash against Denmark, where McTominay produced a stunning overhead kick from over 2.53 meters to secure a result that proved pivotal for qualification.

He has since added a Serie A title and an MVP award to his name at Napoli, cementing his standing as one of the best midfielders in Italy. At the World Cup, he will carry Scotland’s ambitions on his shoulders and arrive as one of the more dangerous players in the tournament’s midfield bracket.

Hakan Calhanoglu Leading Turkey’s Charge

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 17: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale Milano lifts the Coppa Campioni d’Italia trophy following the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Hakan Calhanoglu has spent close to a decade in Serie A, and over that time, he has developed into one of the most complete central midfielders in European football. His ability to control the tempo, deliver from set pieces, and score from deep makes him a constant threat regardless of the opposition.

After making his name at Milan, Calhanoglu elevated his game further at Inter, becoming a central figure in their title-winning campaigns. For Turkey, he is the player who runs everything. His range of passing and reading of the game at the club level will transfer directly to the international stage.

Turkey arrives at the 2026 World Cup with genuine ambitions of reaching the knockout rounds, and Calhanoglu’s ability to control matches from midfield will be central to how far they go.

Luka Modric’s Final Chapter with Croatia

Luka Modric guided Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, collected the Ballon d’Or that same year, and then led his nation to third place in 2022. Now at Milan and still performing at a high level in Serie A, the Croatian legend enters what is widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance.

What makes Modric remarkable is that age has not stripped away the qualities that made him elite. His positional awareness, first touch, and ability to dictate the rhythm of a match remain intact. For Croatia, this tournament represents an opportunity to send one of the greatest midfielders in history out on their terms.

Modric will be desperate to make that happen, and the experience he has accumulated across decades of top-level football makes him one of the most valuable players at the entire competition.

The Broader Picture, More Serie A Names to Watch

Beyond these three headliners, multiple Serie A players will feature for nations capable of producing upsets across the group stage and into the knockout rounds. Smaller nations that have historically been difficult to predict are now better equipped than ever, partly because their players are gaining regular high-level minutes in one of Europe’s strongest leagues.

This depth of Serie A representation at the 2026 World Cup means the league’s tactical trends, pressing systems, defensive structure, and positional play will be visible throughout the tournament.

For anyone following the competition closely, understanding which players are arriving in form and which are managing fitness concerns after long club seasons will provide a significant edge in reading how matches develop. The Italian league may be without Italy itself, but its influence on the 2026 World Cup is as strong as ever.