The race to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is reaching its tense finale, but not every big name looks likely to make it to the USA. Several European and African powerhouses are in danger of missing out entirely.

Sweden has endured a disastrous campaign under Jon Dahl Tomasson, sitting bottom of Group B with just one point from four matches. Despite boasting attacking talents like Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, Dejan Kulusevski and Anthony Elanga, the Swedes were recently beaten by Kosovo and now need a miracle to qualify.

In Africa, Cameroon has suffered one of the shocks of the qualifiers after being beaten to top spot by minnows Cape Verde. That leaves Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba sweating on a possible second-place reprieve but their chances of reaching the World Cup are slim.

Nigeria also faces a desperate final-day scenario. Sitting third in their group, the Super Eagles must defeat Benin and hope South Africa drop points to stand any chance of going through. Failure would see Fulham duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi miss out on football’s biggest stage.

Italy, four-time world champions, is again flirting with disaster. Gennaro Gattuso’s side trail Norway in their group and may have to settle for the playoffsa route that saw them fail in both 2018 and 2022. Another absence would be devastating for stars like Donnarumma, Federico Chiesa and Sandro Tonali.

Manchester United forward Benjamin Šeško is also under pressure with Slovenia yet to record a win in their group. Two matches remain for them to save their campaign, but time is rapidly running out.

The situation contrasts sharply with England, who is on the verge of securing qualification. Thomas Tuchel’s side could confirm their place in the coming days, extending the growing gap between the world’s elite and those struggling to keep pace.

For fans, the prospect of a World Cup without some of the Premier League’s most exciting talents from Isak’s finesse to Mbeumo’s speed is an unwelcome thought.

World Cup qualification shocks aren’t new. Italy’s twin failures, the U.S. missing out in 2018, and Nigeria’s 2006 heartbreak all showed how even football’s giants can stumble. But with global icons now at risk again, 2026 could mark another chapter of stunning absences in football’s most prestigious tournament.