Which Players Are at Risk of Missing Out From FIFA World Cup 2026?

Football is a game of fine margins, but for the world’s elite, the players who can miss the FIFA World Cup 2026, the road ahead is currently paved with glass. While the expanded 48-team format promised a grander stage, the "Injury Gods" and shock qualification exits are rewriting the script.

The most recent tremor? Jack Grealish, whose season-ending surgery at Everton has left England fans reeling. From the Super Eagles' clinical finisher Victor Osimhen to the magic of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the list of players who can miss the FIFA World Cup 2026 is growing into a tragic "What If" XI. As the North American summer looms, the race is no longer just for the trophy but for the fitness to even step onto the pitch.

The Jack Grealish Heartbreak: Season Over?

The biggest story in the England camp is the status of Jack Grealish. Currently on loan at Everton from Manchester City, Grealish’s hopes of representing the Three Lions in North America have been dealt a devastating blow.

Grealish recently underwent surgery on a stress fracture in his foot sustained during a match against Aston Villa. Taking to social media from his hospital bed, Grealish confirmed that his season is officially over. At 30 years old, this was seen as Grealish's prime opportunity to lead Thomas Tuchel's England squad. With a recovery timeline extending past the tournament’s start date, Grealish is now a major doubt, leaving a massive creative void in the English midfield.

He is running a race against time to be fit, and even if he somehow manages to be fit just in time, Tuchel will have the final call on continuing with a player who has been away from the field for at least three months.

Injuries and Personal Reasons: Stars in Doubt

Jack Grealish is not the only one racing against time; here are more players who can miss the FIFA World Cup 2026, facing medical hurdles that could see them watching the tournament from the stands:

• Christian Pulisic (USMNT): The USMNT captain is currently dealing with bursitis near the hip (iliopsoas area), an inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints. While AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri suggests it is not "long-term", Pulisic has missed key Serie A fixtures and has struggled for form, failing to register a goal contribution in early 2026. The concern for Pulisic is not just the current pain but also his fragile injury history. Any further setback between now and June could compromise his rhythm for the host nation.
• Mikel Merino (Spain): Mikel Merino’s World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread following surgery on February 9 to repair a serious foot fracture. Sustained during Arsenal’s late-January defeat to Manchester United, the injury carries a daunting four-month recovery timeline that effectively ends his Premier League season. Spain’s medical staff is now facing a nervous wait; even with a target return to training in late May, Merino’s lack of match sharpness makes him a high-risk gamble for the La Roja squad.
• Levi Colwill (England): While much of the focus is on Grealish, England’s defensive depth is also under fire. Levi Colwill has been on a long road to recovery following a serious ACL injury sustained before the current season began. As of February, he remains in light training, but with the tournament just months away, he is facing a race against time that many fear he will lose.
• Juan Foyth (Argentina): The World Champions face a massive defensive void. On January 25, during Villarreal's clash against Real Madrid, Foyth suffered a complete rupture of his left Achilles tendon. Even if he returns to light training by May, it is highly unlikely Lionel Scaloni will risk a non-match-fit defender in a high-intensity tournament.
• Mohammed Salisu (Ghana): In a massive blow to the Black Stars, centre-back Mohammed Salisu has reportedly been ruled out of the tournament. The AS Monaco defender has been battling a persistent injury that has finally forced him off the roster. Ghanaian fans are rightfully worried, as Salisu was seen as the "kingpin" of a defence that now looks vulnerable ahead of their Group L fixtures against England and Croatia.
• James Maddison (England): Maddison’s season has been a nightmare. After suffering a major knee injury during pre-season, he has been out for the entire campaign. Though he has recently stepped onto the grass for light individual drills, a return to high-intensity competitive football before June remains a massive "long shot".
• Mohammed Kudus (Ghana): The "Starboy" of Ghanaian football is currently sidelined with a muscle injury picked up over the New Year. While he is expected to return to action for Tottenham by late March or April, any relapse during his return to play would almost certainly end his World Cup hopes.
• Ben Davies (Wales): Veteran defender Ben Davies is a major doubt following two major operations on his ankle and foot after being stretchered off in January. Given the severity of the procedures, there is a growing consensus that Davies may have played his last game for Tottenham, and potentially Wales, if his recovery doesn't accelerate significantly.

The Giants Who Failed to Qualify

Despite the expansion to 48 teams, the 2026 World Cup will proceed without some of football’s most storied "Giants". The most glaring absence is Nigeria; the Super Eagles’ star-studded roster, featuring Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, fell to DR Congo in a heartbreaking playoff.

They are joined by African heavyweights Cameroon, who were stunned by Cape Verde and later eliminated in the continental playoffs. In Europe, Serbia and Hungary failed to secure their spots, leaving talents like Dusan Vlahovic and Dominik Szoboszlai on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, South American mainstays Chile and Peru missed out for a third consecutive time, signalling the end of an era for their golden generations. For these nations, the expanded field offered no safety net against the brutality of qualification.