From overhead kicks, last-gasp winners and routine thumpings, the November worldwide break was stuffed with moments of jubilation. However, in between that jubilation, got here the heartbreak of lacking out on a spot on the 2026 World Cup.
For a lot of gamers, it was their ultimate alternative to succeed in soccer’s largest stage, solely to see it snatched from their grasp as soon as extra. While Scotland should be in occasion mode and Eire making ready for the playoffs after Troy Parrott heroics, the likes of Hungary and Nigeria have been left to marvel what might need been.
With the event quick approaching, a number of the world’s most spectacular stars have now had their fates sealed and face the heart-wrenching job of watching on from residence as their membership teammates do what they’ll solely dream of subsequent summer season.
From Victor Osimhen to Dominik Szoboszlai, we have taken a take a look at the very best XI of gamers set to overlook out on a spot on the 2026 World Cup.
Goalkeeper and defence
GK: Jan Oblak (Slovenia & Atletico Madrid) – A part of Slovenia’s disastrous qualification makes an attempt, Jan Oblak might do nothing however watch on as his aspect earned simply 4 factors from six video games in a bunch with Switzerland, Kosovo and Sweden.
By the tip of qualifying, the standings weren’t even shut as Kosovo’s 11 factors have been sufficient to complete second and depart Slovenia in third to sum issues up.
RB: Ola Aina (Nigeria & Nottingham Forest) – If Oblak’s state of affairs was irritating then Ola Aina’s was on an entire new stage over the worldwide break. The suitable-back might solely watch amid his latest harm woes, as Nigeria crashed out of qualifying in a disastrous penalty shoot-out.
The Tremendous Eagles’ supervisor, Eric Chelle, restricted his penalty choices by taking off attacking gamers to carry on for the shoot-out, earlier than struggling the implications.
CB: Willi Orban (Hungary & RB Leipzig) – As Parrott wheeled away in celebration for Eire, Willi Orban was one among a number of Hungary gamers struggling the heartbreak of late defeat.
They’d their World Cup fortunes of their grasp, just for it to be snatched away in probably the most harsh means potential. Now, the RB Leipzig man, at 33 years outdated, could by no means get the possibility to characteristic within the event.
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CB: Nikola Milenkovic (Serbia & Nottingham Forest) – It makes Serbia’s struggles all of the extra complicated, the truth that in addition they had a defender of Nikola Milenkovic’s calibre at their disposal, nevertheless it sums up his season. The Nottingham Forest star has struggled to duplicate final season’s type at membership stage and took that type into the worldwide break.
LB: Milos Kerkez (Hungary & Liverpool) – It has been a troublesome season for Milos Kerkez. The left-back has did not hit the bottom operating at Liverpool and lately misplaced his place again to Andy Robertson. Now, he is had his World Cup desires shattered to coincide along with his dream transfer slowly however certainly changing into extra of a nightmare.
Midfield
CM: Carlos Baleba (Cameroon & Brighton) – Carlos Baleba is undoubtedly destined for giant issues, however the world stage should look forward to his presence as Cameroon crashed out of qualifying towards DR Congo. At 21 years outdated, the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder will nonetheless have extra alternatives in his future and people could but coincide with a powerful transfer at membership stage.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary & Liverpool) – Szoboszlai was misplaced for phrases after Parrott’s late winner. When his aspect took the lead earlier than half-time, the Hungary captain would have had his sights set on the World Cup.
Simply 45 minutes later, nevertheless, he noticed his desires torn aside in merciless style. A uncommon standout for Liverpool this season and sometimes dragging Hungary to victory, Szoboszlai has actually been onerous finished by.
RM: Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon & Man Utd) – Like his worldwide teammate and potential future membership teammate, Belaba, Bryan Mbeumo might be lacking the 2026 World Cup.
On the peak of his powers and with all the pieces starting to come back collectively at Previous Trafford, there would have been loads of hope round Cameroon that the winger might drag them by means of the qualifiers. Finally, although, he struggled to land a mark on DR Congo.
LM: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia & PSG) – As proficient as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is, Georgia have been at all times prone to be underdogs in World Cup qualifying. They completed third in Group E and received simply as soon as in six video games, as Spain and Turkey took the highest two spots, they usually have been compelled to accept third forward of Bulgaria.
Assault
ST: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria & Galatasaray) – The most important stage has constantly handed Osimhen by in recent times. Since falling out with Napoli, he is performed a lot of his membership soccer at Galatasaray, regardless of limitless rumours linking him with a few of Europe’s largest golf equipment and leagues. Now, he is set to overlook the World Cup and did not even get to take a penalty for Nigeria as they crashed out after he was substituted off.
ST: Serhou Guirassy (Guinea & Borussia Dortmund) – Serhou Guirassy is quietly one of the vital spectacular strikers that European soccer has to supply. He is constantly starred within the Bundesliga in recent times, but will not get the possibility to do the identical for Guinea subsequent summer season. His aspect completed fourth in Group G, regardless of dropping simply three of their 10 video games.
