Notable Absences from World Cup 2026

Despite the expansion to 48 teams, several traditional football powers failed to navigate the rigorous qualification process. Nations such as Italy, who missed their third consecutive tournament, and Sweden are among the highest-profile absences. Their failure to qualify highlights the rising level of competition across all confederations and the unforgiving nature of the knockout-style qualifiers. These absences create space for first-time qualifiers and emerging nations to make their mark on World Cup history in 2026.