Stars Who Shined But Missed the World Cup: A Dream Team of Absentees
The article highlights a dream lineup of talented players from countries that failed to qualify for the World Cup, showcasing their remarkable skills and contributions to their clubs. Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy's captain and a top keeper at Manchester City, struggled in a critical playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina, failing to save any penalties despite his heroics in Euro 2020. Defenders: Jordi Alba (23), an agile left-back/right-back for Real Sociedad, had a standout Copa América 2024 but saw Venezuela miss out on World Cup playoffs by two points. Jonathan Tah (27), a center-back for Bayer Leverkusen, excelled under Xabi Alonso but couldn't help Burkina Faso secure their first World Cup. Calafiori, who moved to Arsenal, played a pivotal role in their title win but will spend summer recovering from Italy’s disappointment. Kerkez (22), a modern attacking full-back for Liverpool, had consistent performances but Hungary finished third in their group. Midfielders: Baleba emerged as a key player for Brighton and Cameroon, yet missed out on the finals. Núñez, the creative force for Ipswich and Chile, stands as a bridge to the future for his national team as they transition from their golden generation. Szoboszlai, a standout for Liverpool, faced a setback as Hungary extended their 40-year absence from the World Cup despite his impressive contributions. Forwards: Lookman, who shone at the Europa League, became a transfer target after his performance for Nigeria, but they failed to qualify for successive World Cups. Victor Osimhen, now at Galatasaray, scored eight in qualifying but missed crucial matches due to injury, affecting Nigeria's chances. Kvaratskhelia, a two-time Champions League winner, scored twice in qualifying but couldn't help Georgia avoid a distant third in their group.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-06-06