🌍 The World Cup’s missing stars! From Palmer to J. Pedro 🤯 | OneFootball

Every World Cup has its heroes. And then it has its omissions.

In fact, they often spark more debate than the players who were actually called up. Because when you read that players like Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, or Alexander-Arnold will not take part in the most important competition on the planet, one question comes naturally: just how strong is the team that left them at home?

The final squads for the 2026 World Cup have already produced plenty of surprises. Some understandable, others far less so, and then of course we also have to remember the injured players.

Players who have retired from international football (Suarez, Griezmann, Muller...) will be excluded from this article.

England, the major cut: Palmer, Foden, Alexander-Arnold and Maguire

England dominate the list of high-profile omissions, with a series of decisions that have caused a stir across the country.

Cole Palmer is perhaps the most shocking case: coming off seasons of the highest level and considered one of the most decisive talents in the Premier League, he was left out of the final squad. The same fate befell Phil Foden, a world-class player and a key figure for Manchester City, but never truly central to the head coach’s tactical plans.

Completing the block of surprises are Trent Alexander-Arnold, one of the most creative full-backs in European football, left out despite his unique quality in build-up play, and Harry Maguire, a defensive leader in recent international tournaments but sacrificed in the final selections.

Four big names, four different stories, but one single conclusion: even a top-tier national team like England has to leave absolute stars at home.

France: Camavinga, K. Thuram, Kroupi and Ekitiké's injury

When a national team leaves out Eduardo Camavinga it means the level of competition is simply insane. No less striking is the exclusion of Khéphren Thuram: indispensable for Juve, but not for Deschamps.

There would be countless names in attack, but we’ll mention two: Ekitiké will miss the World Cup with a ruptured Achilles tendon and, even so, France still could not find room for Kroupi, the Bournemouth striker on the rise.

Brazil: J. Pedro makes way for Neymar! Estêvão, Rodrygo and Militão out

Neymar’s call-up inevitably changed Brazil’s balance. And the one who paid the highest price was João Pedro. The striker was coming off a very positive season and seemed close to a call-up, but Carlo Ancelotti chose to rely on the experience and charisma of O Ney.

A decision that hurts even more when we consider that Brazil will have to do without Rodrygo and Estêvão in attack, both injured. The absence in defense is no less significant either: Militão.

Spain: the injuries to F. Lopez and Samu. Carreras and Huijsen not called up

Two strikers at opposite ends of the spectrum, but both would have been useful to Spain: Samu Aghehowa (previously known as Omorodion) represented one of the few physically imposing options up front, but an ACL tear in February ruled him out well in advance.

Fermin Lopez enjoyed an excellent season with Barça, especially in the Champions League, until May when an injury that seemed manageable took a turn for the worse: a broken toe that required surgery.

In defense, De La Fuente decided not to rely on Real Madrid players: Carreras and Huijsen did not convince during Los Blancos’ trophyless season and so, for the first time, there will be no Real Madrid players in Spain’s World Cup squad.

Netherlands: Frimpong and Godts ignored! Tough luck for Xavi Simons

Ronald Koeman’s call-ups caused a stir in the Netherlands: the omission of Mika Godts after 17 goals and 12 assists for Ajax in the Eredivisie created resentment, especially at home. Frimpong paid for an underwhelming season with Liverpool and two injuries that undermined his fitness at the start and midway through the season.

The star who will miss out, however, is Xavi Simons: his ACL tear at the end of April was a heavy blow for him, the national team, and above all for Tottenham, who were threatened by relegation until the closing stages of the Premier League.

Other omissions / injured players: Gnabry, Bennacer, Kudus and more

In this article we looked at 32 players who will not take part in the World Cup despite having the quality to be there. Bad luck or someone else’s decision: either way, this will not be their summer.

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

📸 ADRIAN DENNIS - AFP or licensors