2026 World Cup Absent XI: The best players missing the tournament

Ladbrokes' 2026 World Cup Absent XI

• GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)

• RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)

• CB: Harry Maguire (England)

• CB: Marcos Senesi (Argentina)

• LB: Riccardo Calafiori (Italy)

• CM: Eduardo Camavinga (France)

• CM: Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)

• CAM: Joao Pedro (Brazil)

• RW: Cole Palmer (England)

• ST: Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

• LW: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)

Between the sticks in our World Cup Absent XI is Manchester City shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who failed to qualify for the tournament with Italy - despite likely being a frontrunner for the Golden Glove had he been there. Gennaro Gattuso stepped down as manager after failing to guide his team to the 48-team event this summer, and with Italy's last World Cup appearance remarkably coming all the way back in 2014, the former world champions' wretched record continues.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)

The first of a handful of England players in this team, Trent Alexander-Arnold has fallen massively out of favour since Thomas Tuchel became England boss, and he can consider himself unlucky to have missed out on the German's 26-man squad - especially with the likes of Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah going in his place. The former Liverpool man seemingly has lots of work to do if he wants to add to his 34 England caps, so to the annoyance of many, he will play no part this summer.

CB: Harry Maguire (England)

Another surprise omission from the talented England squad was Harry Maguire, who misses out despite enjoying an excellent season at the heart of Manchester United's defence - and he made his frustrations known, publicly questioning Thomas Tuchel's decision. Having played at two previous World Cups, Maguire has plenty of experience on the international stage, but with a new manager comes new ideas - and someone has to be the fall guy.

CB: Marcos Senesi (Argentina)

Heading over to South America now, with Marcos Senesi - who is supposedly leaving Bournemouth to join Tottenham - missing out on the Argentina squad despite an excellent Premier League season where he helped the Cherries secure a first-ever season in Europe. Lionel Scaloni has opted for experience in the form of Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi ahead of the 29-year-old, but after such an impressive campaign, he slots straight into our Absent XI - and probably most XIs in the world on current form.

LB: Riccardo Calafiori (Italy)

If Italy had qualified for the 2026 World Cup, Riccardo Calafiori would likely be one of the first names on the team sheet, but after a play-off defeat to Bosnia & Herzegovina, the Premier League champion will have no choice but to watch from home. Calafiori was an unused sub in Arsenal's Champions League final defeat to PSG, but has enjoyed another impressive season for the Gunners, and will be desperate to one day get his moment at a World Cup - but he'll have to wait at least four years yet.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga (France)

The second Real Madrid player to make this unwanted XI, 23-year-old Eduardo Camavinga was snubbed by France manager Didier Deschamps despite an impressive cameo in the 2022 World Cup final, with his club form simply not being deemed strong enough. Only five players have been named as midfielders in the French squad, so it was always going to be difficult to earn a spot, but with so many caps to his name already, Camavinga will feel he was more than deserving of his place.

CM: Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)

One of the best players in the 2025/26 Premier League season, Dominik Szoboszlai drove Liverpool forward single-handedly at times, and would undoubtedly have lit up the 2026 World Cup - had Hungary qualified. Marco Rossi's side finished below both Portugal and the Republic of Ireland in their qualification group, meaning their desperate wait for a first World Cup appearance since 1986 goes on - but after a storming individual campaign, Szoboszlai is an easy pick for our Absent XI.

CAM: Joao Pedro (Brazil)

Perhaps the unluckiest name in this XI, Joao Pedro's omission from the Brazil squad raised eyebrows around the world, with the Chelsea man enjoying an excellent debut season in London - but his international career just isn't taking off. Being left out for the likes of Igor Thiago, Endrick, and Luiz Henrique will hurt, but despite his top-level quality being on show every week in the Premier League, Joao Pedro's record of zero goals in eight Brazil appearances clearly hasn't convinced Carlo Ancelotti that he needs him in North America.

RW: Cole Palmer (England)

The fact that Cole Palmer is listed as a right-winger in our Absent XI probably highlights his biggest problem, with the Chelsea man failing to nail down a consistent position in Thomas Tuchel's squad - and his potential versatility has likely worked against him. Despite scoring England's goal in the Euro 2024 final, Palmer's waning club form has proved disastrous for his international chances, with so many injuries and below-par performances seeing the likes of Noni Madueke leapfrog him in the pecking order. England may well reach the final again this time around, and have every chance of going all the way, but despite scoring 51 goals in the last three seasons, Palmer will not be there.

ST: Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

One of modern-day football's most prolific goalscorers, Robert Lewandowski won't get the chance to add to his 89 international goals - a Polish record - this summer, with his country failing to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 2014. The Barcelona frontman has scored 120 goals in four seasons in Spain, and would've been one of the players to watch in the group stages, but the 37-year-old couldn't help Poland beat Sweden in the qualification play-offs - so it seems as though the striker has made his last World Cup appearance.

LW: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)

The final player in our Absent XI is arguably the most high profile, with Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - who would likely challenge for the Golden Boot - having no chance to show his class at the 2026 World Cup. The winger's frightening individual quality may have been enough to help PSG to a second consecutive Champions League triumph, but it couldn't help his nation reach their first-ever World Cup, with Willy Sagnol's side falling well short in qualifying.

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