Missing from the World Cup: Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georgia. © ANSA / FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

Kvaradona and Co.: The absentees at the World Cup

They are injured, have not made the cut for the squad or have not qualified with their national teams – some stars will be missing from the FIFA World Cup starting on June 11.

June 02, 2026

From: apa/sn

Above all, Georgia's two-time Champions League winner Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Poland's veteran Robert Lewandowski, whose teams failed to qualify, could be considered. As is so often the case, a formidable World Cup team could be assembled from this pool of talent.

At the European Championship two years ago, Kvaratskhelia and his debutant team reached the round of 16, but they missed out on their first-ever World Cup qualification, finishing behind Spain and Turkey in qualifying Group E. Since January 2025, the 25-year-old winger, nicknamed Kvaradona in homage to legend Diego Maradona, has been dazzling for Paris Saint-Germain and celebrated his second Champions League triumph with the French club this year.

Poland's failure to qualify for the World Cup is likely to also mark the end of Lewandowski's era with the Polish national team. The 37-year-old made his international debut in 2008. Since then, the former Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona player has made 165 appearances, scoring 89 goals – a record for his country in both categories. Following Poland's recent elimination from qualifying, the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year hinted at his eventual departure from the Polish national team.

Donnarumma and Co. are once again just spectators.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, the world-class goalkeeper for Manchester City, undoubtedly belongs among Europe's elite, as do Nicolo Barella, Alessandro Bastoni (both Inter), and Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal). Curiously, however, they have yet to qualify for the World Cup. For the third consecutive year, the Azzurri have managed the feat of missing out on the World Cup finals. Following their elimination in the play-offs against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the proud footballing nation is grappling with its chronic lack of success and identifies serious problems within its system.

Training with the young Azzurri instead of World Cup preparation: Gianluigi Donnarumma. © ANSA / CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI

Benjamin Sesko, the 23-year-old Manchester United striker, suffered a clear defeat with Slovenia in qualifying. The 2024 World Cup round of 16 participants finished behind Switzerland and Kosovo in Group B, and the striker failed to score a single goal. Another superstar is missing: Dominik Szoboszlai. The 25-year-old Liverpool forward will have to wait for his first World Cup with Hungary. He shares the draw with his Liverpool and Hungarian teammate, defender Milos Kerkez.

From a non-European perspective, Nigeria's failure to qualify is intriguing, as they actually boast one of the strongest African squads. This also means they will be missing their two top players: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray Istanbul and Ademola Lookman of Atletico Madrid.

Hit by the injury bug: Gnabry and Co.

With 30-year-old Serge Gnabry sidelined, Germany is missing a seasoned veteran on the wing who recently enjoyed a strong season with Bayern Munich and would likely have played a key role at the World Cup. The 59-time German international suffered an adductor injury in mid-April and, as with the 2018 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship on home soil, will miss the tournament due to injury. "Absolutely devastating," said German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann. Xavi Simons echoed this sentiment after his cruciate ligament tear in April. "Life can be cruel," commented the 23-year-old Dutchman, who made his breakthrough on the big stage at Euro 2024.

Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry will miss the World Cup due to injury. © ANSA / FILIP SINGER

The same fate befell Real Madrid striker Rodrygo back in March. The 25-year-old was a regular starter for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but will have to watch from the sidelines this time. His compatriot Eder Militao has been sidelined with a muscle injury since April; he too was part of the squad for their quarter-final exit in 2022. Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike, meanwhile, is unavailable for France due to a torn Achilles tendon. The 23-year-old managed eleven goals in the Premier League in 2025/26 before the injury cost him a place on the World Cup roster in April.

France and Brazil with luxury problems

Few national teams are in the fortunate position of not having to call up so many top players. The abundance of talent in France and Brazil, for example, means that the French national team is missing players such as Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram, Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), and Tottenham striker Randal Kolo Muani. Brazil is missing players including Joao Pedro (Chelsea) and Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal).