Like at previous editions, a large number of football stars will not be present when the World Cup kicks off on Thursday.
Not qualified, injuries and not being selected are the main reasons why big names, who could easily form an all-star team, are absent.
Following are 11 players not present at the June 11-July 19 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma: The Italy keeper boasts 82 caps highlighted by the Euro 2020 title. He won the Champions League and four Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Manchester City where he won the FA Cup and League Cup. But the 27-year-old is yet to play at the World Cup as Italy failed to qualify for a third straight time.
Defenders
Harry Maguire: The Manchester United veteran was left "shocked and gutted" when not nominated by coach Thomas Tuchel as he shared his anger on social media. “I was confident I could [have] played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had." Maguire has 66 caps and helped United finish third in the Premier League but was among a few big-name players left out by the German coach.
Raphaël Guerreiro: It is not a good summer for the 32-year-old who won Euro 2016 as the highlight of his 65 Portugal caps. His expiring contract at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich is not being renewed, he is yet to find a new club, and he has also not been picked into the World Cup squad.
Éder Militão: The Brazilian star from Real Madrid has come back from two severe knee injuries but the 28-year-old is sidelined again after undergoing surgery in Finland on a muscle injury.
Dani Carvajal: The 34-year-old veteran helped Spain win Euro 2024 and also has a host of titles with Real Madrid. But he was not nominated for a third World Cup participation and is also leaving Real after 13 years.
Midfielders and forwards
Christoph Baumgartner: The Austrian played a strong season for RB Leipzig and was also set to play a key role in his country's return to the World Cup. But he suffered a muscle injury in the warm-up for a recent friendly against Tunisia and will miss the tournament. "That is the most difficult day of my career," he said.
Dominik Szoboszlai: The Hungary captain and Liverpool star missed out in heart-breaking fashion when an injury time goal saw them lose 3-2 against Ireland and fail to reach the World Cup play-offs.
Serge Gnabry: An adductor injury in spring means that the 30-year-old Bayern Munich forward will be sidelined just as at Euro 2024. Gnabry had played a strong season and was a clear candidate for the German World Cup squad. He will now have to wait for his 57th cap.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: The Georgia captain is one of the most expensive players on the planet with a market value estimated at €140 million ($162 million) after winning back to back Champions League titles with PSG. He was named best Champions League player of the season but unable to help Georgia to qualify for a first-ever World Cup, after the team had reached the last 16 at their first Euros in 2024.
Robert Lewandowski: A dramatic 3-2 play-off defeat against Sweden means that the 37-year-old Poland captain won't feature at another World Cup. Lewandowski has 167 caps with 89 goals, both national records. He has won a host of titles with Bayern Munich and then Barcelona but must now need to find a new club after the end of his contract at the Spanish champions.
Luis Suárez: The numbers of the Uruguay veteran are almost as impressive as Lewandowski's: 69 goals and 143 caps. Suárez has said he would never turn down the national team but the Inter Miami attacking partner of Lionel Messi has also criticised coach Marcelo Bielsa in the past. Suárez has not been nominated for the World Cup.
