😱 The unbelievable home-stayers XI: £600m crew lacking out on the World Cup
Not each soccer legend makes it to a World Cup. George Greatest or Alfredo di Stefano might sing a sorrowful music about that.
Nevertheless, absence does not mechanically imply being forgotten. Our high eleven gathers gamers whose nations won’t take part within the massive event within the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
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And who is aware of: Possibly this choice, with a market worth of a whopping $691 million, would possibly actually have a likelihood to compete for essentially the most coveted trophy in North and Central America – the World Cup!
Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak (Slovenia)
One of many world’s greatest goalkeepers of the previous decade will doubtless be without end denied a World Cup look. It is unlikely that Jan Oblak will make it to a remaining spherical with Slovenia once more.
Middle Again: Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso)
By his time at Bayer Leverkusen, Edmond Tapsoba is aware of completely the way to perform as the precise a part of a three-man central protection. Possibly at some point he’ll have the ability to exhibit this versatility at a World Cup.
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Middle Again: Nikola Milenković (Serbia)
Because the defensive chief, Nikola Milenković performed a major function in Nottingham Forrest’s sturdy performances final season. Nevertheless, the Serbian crew, which is definitely well-staffed, did not fare properly within the World Cup qualifiers.
Middle Again: Milos Kerkez (Hungary)
Right here we’re bending the foundations a bit by putting a educated full-back within the left place of the three-man protection. Should you fail on the final second towards Eire, it’s a must to step out of your consolation zone.
📸 David Balogh – 2025 Getty Photographs
Defensive Midfielder: Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)
The younger midfield enforcer already has a market worth of 60 million euros and is attracting the curiosity of virtually all high European golf equipment. Lacking out on the World Cup will not change that for Cameroon.
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Defensive Midfielder: Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)
Dominik Szoboszlai will doubtless watch the World Cup subsequent summer time from his sofa at dwelling. However the last-minute collapse of the Hungarians leaves the FC Liverpool celebrity with no different alternative.
Proper Midfielder: Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
At Manchester United, the 75-million-man has made a big effect to this point. Will he be even stronger in his second season? The Cameroonian will definitely have a sufficiently lengthy preparation interval.
Attacking Midfielder: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)
The speedy rise of Georgian soccer has taken an enormous hit with the missed World Cup qualification. And let’s be trustworthy: not having the ability to see a participant like Kvaratskhelia is painful…
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Left Midfielder: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
A failed switch to Inter, a serious fallout together with his personal coach, and now lacking the World Cup with Nigeria – Ademola Lookman’s soccer yr might positively have gone higher.
Striker: Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
Serhou Guirassy can be amongst these gamers for whom so much has to come back collectively to make it to a World Cup once more. In 4 years, the BVB star from Guinea will doubtless have his final likelihood.
Striker: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
It is fairly stunning that Nigeria, with superstars like Lookman and Victor Osimhen, did not qualify for the World Cup. Have been there maybe increased powers at play? Nationwide coach Éric Chelle is satisfied of it!
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What do you assume: How far would this hypothetical crew make it within the 2026 World Cup? Tell us within the feedback!
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 GOKHAN TANER