The 2026 men's World Cup will miss several high-profile players despite being football's biggest stage. England will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden due to form issues, while Brazil's Rodrygo and Spain's Dani Carvajal also won't feature. These omissions create significant gaps in some of the tournament's strongest teams.

Injuries have ruled several stars out of the competition. France's Hugo Ekitike suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury, while Germany's Lennart Karl and Brazil's Estêvão faced muscle injuries. Manchester United's Harry Maguire, despite his solid form, was excluded by England manager Thomas Tuchel, who called him his "fifth-choice" center back.

The absences reflect the intense competition for World Cup spots and the unforgiving nature of tournament selection. Real Madrid faces particular scrutiny with multiple players missing out. These forced omissions provide opportunities for younger talents to step up, though the tournament will undoubtedly lack star power from these world-class athletes.