2026 FIFA World Cup: Osimhen and Lookman lead best XI players set to watch tournament from home

The World Cup qualifiers were completed on Tuesday, with 48 teams now set to participate in the competition.

However, the world's biggest tournament will proceed without a number of well-known players, whose countries failed to qualify.

After a disappointing qualifying campaign for their nations, several star players will find themselves watching the tournament from home.

A series of shocking results in the lead-up to the tournament means a host of big names will be absent.

With this, Pulse Sports makes a list of the star players who will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was arguably the standout Italian performer during the Euro 2020 success. His exceptional heroics throughout the tournament earned him the UEFA Player of the Tournament award, a remarkable feat as he was the first goalkeeper to ever win it. 

However, his talent will not be seen at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Italy failed to qualify for the competition on Tuesday.

The Azzurri lost their final UEFA playoff match 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

The missed chance made it the third consecutive time they have failed to qualify for the four-year competition.

Riccardo Calafiori has been a solid defender for Italy in the last few months but will not be present at the World Cup.

He combines aggressive defending with a unique, composed creativity, often drifting forward into an attacking midfield role. 

Difficult to read and even harder to beat, the 23-year-old is one of the most versatile players in the Premier League.

Yet, his Italian compatriots' failure to qualify for the World Cup means another top-tier talent will be absent from the tournament.

Simone Inzaghi crafted the best defence in Europe at Inter Milan last season, with the elegant Alessandro Bastoni at its epicentre. 

Always in control of his impressively long limbs, the veteran 26-year-old keeps the back door bolted while also cantering forward.

Now working under Cristian Chivu, the defender looks set to add a third Scudetto to his trophy cabinet this season as Inter sit six points clear at Serie A's summit. 

However, his talent will not be showcased at the World Cup after Italy failed to qualify for the competition.

Di Marco has been a standout player for Inter Milan this season as they edge closer to winning the Italian Serie A.

However, his talent alone was not enough to help Italy in their World Cup qualifiers, as they failed to defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The full-back will not be at the World Cup like other star players, as Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row.

Ola Aina has been an important player in the Nigerian national team, having played an important role in their qualifying series.

However, since the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the World Cup, he will not be seen in the tournament.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria struggled in their group and came second behind South Africa with just one point difference.

However, they found their way to the playoffs but were eliminated by DR Congo through a penalty shoot-out.

With a midfield boasting a player of Sandro Tonali’s quality, many believed Italy could finally end their World Cup drought and qualify for the first time in three editions. 

However, the Azzurri remain a shadow of their former selves and must now wait another four years after a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final.

The nation have not won a World Cup knockout match since their 2006 triumph. Perhaps their current struggles stem from an over-reliance on a few star players.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Hungary's captain, placed immense pressure on himself to lead his nation to the World Cup. 

He was relentless in his efforts, covering nearly half-marathon distances each game to contribute across defence, midfield, and attack.

However, his absence from the World Cup is a blow, as his long-range strikes, exquisite free-kicks, and tireless running have made him one of the standout Premier League players this season. 

His non-participation is a big loss of talent at the World Cup, and his work rate and contribution will be missed.

The absence of Alex Iwobi from the World Cup is a significant blow, given his immense contribution and talent. 

He has been an important player for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, recently helping them to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

His passing skills and accuracy make him one of the top players in the Premier League for Fulham this season. Consequently, the tournament will be missing his talent and considerable skill.

Ademola Lookman etched his name into football history with a stunning hat-trick in the 2023 Europa League final, leading Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over a previously unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen. 

Now at Atletico Madrid, the reigning African Player of the Year was expected to be a key figure for the Super Eagles. 

However, Nigeria's hopes of returning to the world stage after missing the 2022 tournament were dashed, meaning Lookman's dazzling skills will not be on display.

The Super Eagles were knocked out of the play-off by DR Congo via penalty shoot-out after playing a 1-1 draw at full-time.

Alongside Lookman, Nigeria also featured Victor Osimhen, one of the most prolific strikers in the world this season. 

Osimhen famously fired Napoli to a historic Serie A title in 2023, scoring 26 goals in 32 league matches. 

Now with Galatasaray, his goal-scoring prowess continues unabated, with 26 goals in 30 Super Lig games last season. 

Despite his talent and scoring abilities, Nigeria fell short in their qualification bid, with Osimhen not making it to the World Cup.

Kvaratskhelia made a move from Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain last January and played a key role in helping them win the UEFA Champions League trophy.

When in possession, the tricky wide man excels with his feint dribbling and his ability to weave in and out of oncoming pressure.

But while he featured in Georgia’s first appearance at a European Championship in 2024, the mountainous Eurasian nation failed to qualify for the World Cup.

The winger will not be taking the next step at the 2026 World Cup and will be one of the top talents to miss this edition.