Seven Football Giants That Missed Back-to-Back World Cups
Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup highlights a worrying trend in international football. Even the most decorated nations can find themselves on the sidelines. In this piece, we profile seven traditional powerhouses—Italy, Nigeria, England, France, Senegal, the Netherlands and Uruguay—that have missed consecutive World Cups. Their absences reflect transitions, internal challenges and stiff competition within their regions. Some countries bounced back quickly. Others endured long droughts before returning to the global stage. Discover how these nations coped with qualification setbacks and what lies ahead for their footballing futures.
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