The 5 Highest-Ranked Teams Who Failed to Qualify for the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams, yet some familiar giants will not feature. Italy tops the list of absentees after losing in a playoff to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Denmark’s penalty shootout defeat to the Czech Republic ends their run since 2014. Nigeria misses out for a second straight tournament, falling to DR Congo on penalties. Ukraine remain sidelined amid war disruptions, and Poland’s loss to Sweden likely ends Lewandowski’s last World Cup bid. Their absence reshapes the competition and sports betting markets. This ranking is based on the FIFA standings published in April 2026.
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