The March international break brought confirmation of the final spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Robert Lewandowski is one of the biggest stars who will miss this summer’s tournament in North America.
Poland failed to overcome Sweden in one of the European playoffs, losing 3-2 at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm. This was their last chance to secure a spot in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia.
As a result, Robert Lewandowski missed the opportunity to take part in what would almost certainly have been his last World Cup. By 2030, he will be nearly 42 years old, making it unlikely he will still be competing internationally.
“It’s hard to say anything after a match like that. I don’t know if the words I find would reflect what we feel. Soccer can be cruel,” Lewandowski admitted after the defeat to Sweden. Asked about his future with Poland, he was completely honest: “I don’t know. I need to think carefully, reflect.”
Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma will also miss the 2026 World Cup.
North America 2026 would have marked Lewandowski’s third World Cup, having led Poland in Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. Alongside the Barcelona forward, other top stars will also miss this summer’s FIFA tournament.
see also
Countdown to World Cup 2026: Full list of qualified and eliminated national teams
Gianluigi Donnarumma
The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper was at the center of another disappointment for Italy, who lost on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs and failed for the third consecutive time to reach the World Cup. At 27, Donnarumma has yet to play in a World Cup, a situation shared by other Italian stars such as Sandro Tonalli, Nicolo Barella, and Alessandro Bastoni.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Another PSG star who has not yet found the same level of success with his national team. Kvaratskhelia was unable to help Georgia even reach the European playoffs, as they finished third in their group behind Spain and Turkey.
Victor Osimhen
One of the most surprising absences for the 2026 World Cup is Nigeria, one of Africa’s strongest teams in recent decades. They failed to secure a spot for the second consecutive time, having also missed the Qatar 2022 edition. Victor Osimhen, the national team’s star, has yet to play in a World Cup at 27 years old.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Despite being one of Liverpool’s top stars in the Premier League, Szoboszlai could not guide Hungary to the 2026 World Cup. They were eliminated in the early stage of the European qualifiers, finishing behind Portugal and Ireland in Group F. Although Hungary were twice runners-up (1938 and 1954), they have now gone 40 years without appearing in a World Cup.
Stars missing the World Cup due to injury
In addition to players whose teams failed to qualify for North America 2026, several stars will miss the tournament due to injury. This group includes Brazil’s Rodrygo Goes, who is sidelined with a serious knee injury. Also absent are England’s Jack Grealish, Japan’s Takumi Minamino, and Argentina’s Juan Foyth and Joaquin Panichelli.
