Kathmandu. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to kick off in Mexico. The World Cup will be played in New York on July 19 with 104 matches and 16 host cities from the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The presence of superstars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Lamin Yamal has added to the charm of the tournament. But this time too, some of the most famous faces of world football will not be seen on the stage of the World Cup.

Despite excelling in club football, many star players have been knocked out of the World Cup because they have not been able to make the final list of the national team or have not been selected for their country. This has disappointed football fans a bit.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donorumma is one of the most popular names to miss this World Cup. Donorumma, who won Italy’s Euro 2021 title, has yet to play in the World Cup. The 27-year-old goalkeeper Danorumma’s World Cup dream remains unfulfilled after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive season.

Netherlands right-back Jeremy Frimpong was also not included in the final squad. Frimpong, who has been a key figure in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic success under Xabi Alonso, has not been up to expectations at Liverpool.

That’s why coach Ronald Koeman didn’t include him in the final squad. Spain’s young centre-back Dean Hossain and left-back Alvaro Carreras have also failed to make the World Cup squad. The two Real Madrid players have performed well throughout the season, but Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has preferred experience to other options.

Experienced England centre-back Harry Maguire is also out of the squad this time. Maguire, who has played 66 international appearances, was hoping to play his third World Cup. But Maguire’s World Cup dream could not be fulfilled after coach Thomas Tuchel gave a chance to a new generation of defenders.

The absence of France’s Eduardo Camavinga in midfield has also been a topic of discussion. Coach Didier Deschamps did not include him in the final squad after he was ruled out of the season due to injury. Portuguese midfielder Matias Fernandez was also not included in the World Cup squad despite his excellent club performances.

The exits of England’s Cole Palmer and Phil Foden in attack were unexpected for many fans. Tuchel has been left out of the final squad for both players who have excelled in the Premier League over the last two seasons.

Brazilian forward Joao Pedro has also been left out of the team. Pedro scored 32 goals in his best season at Chelsea, but coach Carlo Ancelotti prioritised other youngsters. Along with him, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison also did not make it to the World Cup squad.

Germany striker Karim Adeyemi will also not be seen in this World Cup. Adeyemi, one of Borussia Dortmund’s key attackers, has been ruled out of the national squad in recent years due to injury and fitness problems.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Georgian winger Kvicha Kvaratskhelia is also out of the World Cup. He will not be a Ballon d’Or candidate for the World Cup in North America after Georgia failed to qualify for the group stage. At the same time, the best midfielders like Nico Barella have also been out of the competition after not being able to qualify for Italy.

Although the World Cup 2026 will give a new generation of players a chance to showcase their talent, the absence of these famous stars will definitely diminish the excitement of the tournament. Football fans will still hope to see them on world football’s biggest stage at the next World Cup in four years.