Several big names and key players won’t be at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Most nations have already released their 26-man squads for the FIFA World Cup 2026. While many established stars secured their spots, several notable names will be watching from home. Whether due to injuries, dips in form, fierce competition, or simply tactical fit, these omissions sparked plenty of debate among fans. Here are some of the biggest snubs ahead of football’s biggest stage in our opinion.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Lucas Chevalier (France)
Chevalier was once viewed as part of the future for France’s stacked goalkeeper pool. However, a dip in form following his move to PSG saw him fall out of contention. Limited playing time after losing the starting role likely played a major part in Didier Deschamps’ decision to leave him out.
LB: Lewis Hall (England)
Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall was also left out of the England squad despite an impressive breakthrough season. Since moving to Newcastle, he has shown versatility and composure on the ball which made many fans believe he had earned at least a backup spot.
CB: Harry Maguire (England)
Despite showing improved form this season for Manchester United and helping them finish third in the Premier League, Harry Maguire was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad. The veteran defender admitted he was “gutted” by the decision and believed he deserved a place on the plane.
CB: Levi Colwill (England)
This omission is more understandable considering Colwill missed most of the season recovering from a torn ACL. Although he returned for the final stretch and looked solid defensively, the sample size was likely too small to convince Tuchel. Still, it remains a notable snub given England’s somewhat surprising centre-back selections.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
Another major omission from Tuchel’s squad is Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Real Madrid right-back endured an injury-disrupted season, while competition in his position intensified during his absence. Even so, leaving out one of the world’s most creative full-backs remains controversial.
CM: Romeo Lavia (Belgium)
Lavia struggled with injuries throughout the season and saw limited minutes for Chelsea. However, whenever he was fit, he showed his quality. Belgium’s midfield could have benefited from his energy, ball-winning ability, and composure during their transition into a new generation.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga (France)
France’s stacked midfield meant several big names missed out, including Eduardo Camavinga. The Real Madrid midfielder played an important role during France’s run to the 2022 World Cup final. His omission is not about the level of play that Camavinga showed, it just shows how stacked the Les Bleus’ 2026 squad is.
LW: Karim Adeyemi (Germany)
Pace is Adeyemi’s calling card. It made him a candidate for Germany’s attack, but inconsistency and fierce competition ultimately worked against him. Even so, many fans felt his explosiveness could have added another dimension to Germany’s attacking options.
CAM: Phil Foden (England)
Phil Foden looked set to become one of England’s key players during and after the Gareth Southgate era, but a dip in form hurt his chances. His performances for Manchester City failed to hit previous heights which didn’t help his case and Tuchel ultimately decided to leave him out.
RW: Cole Palmer (England)
Palmer appeared untouchable after Euro 2024, especially following his impact off the bench throughout the tournament. However, injuries and inconsistent form slowed him down this season. A lingering groin problem affected much of his campaign and may ultimately have cost him a place in the squad. It is remarkable considering he was Player of the Match in both the Conference League and Club World Cup finals less than a year ago.
ST: Joao Pedro (Brazil)
There’s not much that Joao Pedro can do more to deserve a spot. He was Chelsea’s top scorer and player of the season. This was another notable omission. Carlo Ancelotti instead opted for Igor Thiago, leaving out a forward many believed had done enough to earn a spot through his play since moving to West London.
Banner Images from Joao Pedro on Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
The biggest FIFA World Cup 2026 snubs include Trent Alexander-Arnold (England), Phil Foden (England), Cole Palmer (England), Eduardo Camavinga (France), and Joao Pedro (Brazil) — players who either suffered injuries, dips in form, or simply faced intense positional competition.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad due to an injury-disrupted season at Real Madrid and increased competition in the right-back position during his absence. Despite this, the decision remains one of the most controversial omissions of the tournament.
Phil Foden missed the 2026 World Cup after a dip in form for Manchester City that failed to match his previous performances. Despite being a key figure under Gareth Southgate, manager Thomas Tuchel ultimately decided his recent output did not warrant inclusion.
Joao Pedro was omitted from Brazil’s squad despite being Chelsea’s top scorer and Player of the Season. Manager Carlo Ancelotti chose Igor Thiago instead, making it one of the more baffling snubs given Joao Pedro’s consistent output throughout the club season.
At least six notable England players were left out of Tuchel’s 26-man squad: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire, Lewis Hall, and Levi Colwill — making England the nation with the most high-profile omissions heading into the 2026 tournament.
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