No fewer than 13 teams ranked among the top 50 in the world by FIFA are set to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026 after failing to secure qualification tickets.
Among the notable absentees are former European champions Italy, African giants Nigeria, and Scandinavian side Denmark.
The development comes as qualification rounds across different confederations concluded, producing a mix of expected qualifiers and surprise eliminations.
Football analysts attribute the failure of some of the top-ranked teams to inconsistent performances, tough qualification groups, and rising competition from emerging football nations.
Italy’s absence marks another major setback for the four-time world champions, who have struggled in recent qualification campaigns despite their pedigree.
Similarly, Nigeria failed to navigate through the African qualifiers, missing out on a place at the expanded global tournament.
Denmark, once considered a strong contender in European football, also fell short amid stiff competition in their qualifying group.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature an expanded format, allowing more teams to participate.
However, despite the increased slots, several high-profile teams could not secure qualification, underscoring the growing competitiveness of international football.
