Top 12 most valuable players not going to FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Dominik Szoboszlai & Bryan Mbeumo
These players will be watching the competition on the television, just like the fans.
The goal of every soccer player’s life is to play for their nation at the World Cup. This FIFA World Cup 2026, many players’ dreams will come true.
The most popular and prestigious soccer competition will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico this time around. It will be a festival of drama, passion, and pandemonium that will undoubtedly be characterised by moments of personal inspiration.
But it’s important to consider players who won’t be able to attend this summer’s show, because their nation’s inability to qualify during the qualifiers. Here are the most valuable players who will not compete in the 2026 World Cup.
List of valuable players not heading to FIFA World Cup 2026
| Rank | Player | Country | Value |
| 1 | Dominik Szoboszlai | Hungary | €100m |
| 2 | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Georgia | €90m |
| 3 | Bryan Mbeumo | Cameroon | €80m |
| 4 | Victor Osimhen | Nigeria | €75m |
| 5 | Benjamin Sesko | Slovenia | €65m |
| 6 | Ademola Lookman | Nigeria | €40m |
| 7 | Milos Kerkez | Hungary | €40m |
| 8 | Christian Kofane | Cameroon | €40m |
| 9 | Strahinja Pavlović | Serbia | €35m |
| 10 | Konstantinos Karetsas | Greece | €35m |
| 11 | Edmond Tapsoba | Burkina Faso | €35m |
| 12 | Dango Ouattara | Burkina Faso | €35m |
Top 12 most valuable players not going to FIFA World Cup 2026
12. Dango Ouattara: €35m
Dango Ouattara, an attacker for Burkina Faso and a winger for Brentford, is confirmed as one of the prominent players who will not compete in the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to their country’s failure to qualify. With a market worth of almost €35 million, it makes Ouattara as one of the most valuable players whose country did not qualify.
11. Edmond Tapsoba: €35m
After failing to guide his country to the finals, Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba will miss the FIFA World Cup 2026. He also becomes among the valuable players who won’t be featuring at the competition in the summer.
10. Konstantinos Karetsas: €35m
Greece did not qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, so 18-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas, who is ranked as one of the top prospects in football, will not be competing. Karetsas has had a big impact on the international scene despite the team’s failure to qualify.
9. Strahinja Pavlović: €35m
Among the well-known players who will not be competing in the competition is AC Milan’s Strahinja Pavlović. Pavlović makes up one of the defenders thought to be unfortunate to miss out on the tournament, despite being a regular for Serbia and playing well at the club level with AC Milan.
8. Christian Kofane: €40m
Christian Kofane, a 19-year-old attacker for Bayer Leverkusen, is among high-value players whose country did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
7. Milos Kerkez: €40m
Hungary simply needed to avoid losing to Ireland, but a third goal by Troy Parrott ended their chances of qualifying in the ninetieth minute. Even if football may be harsh, Milos Kerkez, who is only 22 years old, will have plenty of chances to excel in upcoming competitions.
6. Ademola Lookman: €40m
Nigeria’s manager, Erik Chelle, accused the opposition of employing voodoo during the penalty shootout after Nigeria lost their play-off match against DR Congo. It’s strange, especially since Ademola Lookman, who is best remembered for netting a hat-trick in the 2023 Europa League final as Atalanta defeated the otherwise unbeatable Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, is one of the Super Eagles players who would have been anticipated to do more to secure their return to the World Cup after also missing out in 2022.
5. Benjamin Sesko: €65m
Benjamin Sesko couldn’t do enough to guide Slovenia to the World Cup, after they failed to win the games they needed to ensure their passage to the competition. However, the United striker will have ample time to rest after the season ends and will be hoping to have a better club campaign.
4. Victor Osimhen: €75m
In addition to Lookman, Nigeria also had Victor Osimhen, who couldn’t manage to take Nigeria to the competition, who was among the favourites to directly qualify for the tournament from Africa. However, their star players failed to live up to the hype under pressure and failed in their FIFA World Cup 2026 ambitions.
3. Bryan Mbeumo: €80m
Following Cameroon’s difficulties in a group dominated by Uganda and Mozambique and failure to qualify for the World Cup. Bryan Mbeumo, Man United’s star will miss the tournament in USA.
He becomes the second major Red Devils forward who will receive a prolonged rest this summer.
2. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: €90m
At Euro 2024, Georgia attracted international entered as the tournament’s rookies and performed well enough to get to the knockout stages.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, has established himself as one of Europe’s top creators. The Georgian will spend the summer observing from a distance after winning a treble with PSG the previous season.
1. Dominik Szoboszlai: €100m
Dominik Szoboszlai took on a lot of responsibility as Hungary’s captain to lead his country to the FIFA World Cup. With the Liverpool midfielder running nearly the length of each game to contribute to defence, midfield, and attack, there simply wasn’t much more he could have done to get them across the water.
Which most valuable United player won’t be going to the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Bryan Mbeumo:
Which most valuable teenage player won’t be going to the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Kostantinos Karetsas.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.