The 2026 World Cup is the biggest in history, featuring 48 national teams. And yet, the football world mourns the absence of some of its most storied nations.
Italy: The Biggest Scandal
The Azzurra, four-time world champions, are missing the tournament for the third consecutive edition. After the playoff loss to North Macedonia (Qatar 2022), this time they fell to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties: 1-1 after extra time, with Bosnia winning 4-1 in the shootout. Manager Gennaro Gattuso was dismissed days later. Italy, winners of four World Cup titles (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006), watches the tournament from home for the third consecutive time.
Poland and Lewandowski's Farewell
Poland finished behind the Netherlands in qualifying and lost the playoff to Sweden. For Robert Lewandowski, Poland's all-time top scorer, this could have been his last World Cup. The striker bows out without a memorable World Cup performance to his name.
Nigeria and Africa's Pain
The Super Eagles fell to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the CAF playoff on penalties. Nigeria, three-time winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, leave a massive void.
Denmark, Ukraine, and Serbia
Denmark lost the playoff 3-1 on penalties to Czech Republic. Ukraine fell to Sweden. Serbia finished third in their group despite having Dušan Vlahović and Aleksandar Mitrović.
Latin America Also Mourns
Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela in CONMEBOL did not qualify. In CONCACAF, Costa Rica (a 2014 semifinalist), Honduras, and El Salvador were also absent.
🚨 Italy is missing the World Cup for the THIRD consecutive time — something unprecedented in the history of all four-time world champions.
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