World Cup's missing stars, from Cole Palmer to Tre...
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- Trent Alexander‑Arnold was left out of England’s 2026 World Cup squad by manager Thomas Tuchel, who selected Reece James, Djed Spence and Tino Livramento as right‑back options.
- João Pedro was omitted from Brazil’s World Cup roster by coach Carlo Ancelotti, despite scoring 20 goals for Chelsea last season and being passed over for Igor Thiago and Neymar.
- Dani Carvajal was not chosen for Spain’s squad by Luis de la Fuente, who cited concerns over his match fitness after a foot injury despite the defender’s recent LaLiga appearances.
- Harry Maguire was excluded from England’s World Cup team, with Thomas Tuchel describing him as a “fifth‑choice” centre‑back and Maguire saying he was “absolutely shocked” by the decision.
- Cole Palmer missed England’s World Cup list, surprising many after his groin injury limited him to 11 goals and three assists for Chelsea, even though he had scored in the Euro 2024 final and the 2024 Club World Cup final.
Why it matters: England, Brazil and Spain lose experienced options for the tournament, while the omitted players miss the chance to showcase on football’s biggest stage in 2026.
