Szoboszlai, Osimhen, Calafiori Lead List of Top 10 Most Valuable Players Missing 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be historic, with 48 nations competing across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Yet, despite the expanded format, some of football’s biggest stars will be absent, leaving a combined market value of €710 million on the sidelines.
Among the most valuable players missing out is Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, captain of Hungary, who tops the list at €100 million.
PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia follows at €90 million, while Manchester United’s Bryan Mbuemo and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali share third place at €80 million each.
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, valued at €75 million, is the most valuable forward excluded from the tournament after Nigeria’s shock exit in the CAF group stage.
Italy’s failure to qualify has added further weight to the list, with Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori and Federico Dimarco joining Tonali among the top 10 absentees.
Denmark’s Rasmus Højlund and Slovenia’s Benjamin Sesko also feature, reflecting the drama of Europe’s one-off playoff eliminations.
Despite the expanded tournament, the absence of nations such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Italy and Denmark underscores the unpredictability of football.
For stars like Szoboszlai and Osimhen, the disappointment of missing out will linger, as they must wait another four years for the chance to showcase their talent on the world’s biggest stage.
