Khaberni - As the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico approaches, the early contours of the tournament are beginning to form not just through the qualified or favored teams, but also through the possible absences that might affect some of the strongest international squads. While football fans around the world anticipate this major event, monitoring the condition of top stars has become a fundamental part of analyzing national teams’ chances, prompting many followers to check reliable sources like the best Moroccan betting sites to understand the early predictions and possible power shifts before the tournament kicks off.
In this context, recent reports from global sports newspapers and sites like ESPN Goal and Sky Sports indicate that several of the world's top football stars may not be present at the 2026 World Cup, for reasons ranging from chronic injuries and aging to technical decisions by coaches.
Neymar: Racing against injuries before his last global chance
Brazilian star Neymar is among the prominent names surrounded by doubts regarding his participation in the upcoming World Cup. After suffering an ACL tear in 2023, the player has faced a series of physical setbacks that affected his continuity with his club and the Brazilian team.
Recent medical reports confirmed that recovery from this type of injury could take over a year to regain full readiness, which casts real doubt on his participation in the 2026 tournament, especially in light of statements from the Brazilian team’s technical staff who confirmed that they will only rely on physically ready players without taking risks.
Lionel Messi: Age might be the deciding factor
Despite leading the Argentine team to victory in the 2022 World Cup, Lionel Messi's participation in the 2026 edition has not yet been confirmed. The player, who will be 39 at the start of the tournament, has not finalized his decision regarding continuing internationally.
Many reports have suggested that Messi has already begun to reduce his international appearances and focus on managing his physical effort, especially with the increase in muscle injuries over the past two years. Although Argentina's qualification is expected, the technical staff may face a tough decision about relying on a player of Messi’s stature in a tournament that requires the highest levels of physical readiness.
Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois: The likely end of Belgium’s golden generation
The Belgian national team, long considered one of the top contenders in major tournaments over the past decade, may face the 2026 World Cup without some of its most historic stars.
Kevin De Bruyne suffered from repeated thigh and hamstring injuries over the past two seasons, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois faced a serious ACL injury that kept him out of the fields for a long period.
With both players advancing in age, their chances of regaining full physical condition before the tournament may be limited, which puts the technical staff in a challenging position when selecting the final roster.
Ousmane Dembélé: Talent threatened by injuries
Ousmane Dembélé represents a classic example of a player with exceptional abilities, but his career has been significantly affected by repeated injuries.
The latest reports confirmed that he suffered multiple muscle injuries during 2025, including hamstring and calf muscles, injuries that often recur in players who rely on speed and short bursts.
As the tournament approaches, Dembélé’s ability to maintain his fitness could be the decisive factor in his participation with the French national team, which also reflects on future performance evaluations used by users through any betting app when analyzing the French team’s chances.
Mauro Icardi: Return from a complex injury
Argentine striker Mauro Icardi suffered a severe ACL injury in 2024, causing him to miss a long period from the fields.
Despite his gradual return to participation with his club, this type of injury often affects a player's level for extended periods, especially for strikers who rely on sudden movements within the penalty area.
Given the fierce competition within the Argentine squad, Icardi might find himself outside the technical calculations before the tournament starts.
Jude Bellingham: Tuchel’s vision might complicate his participation
Jude Bellingham has been one of the key pillars of the England team in recent years, but his participation in the 2026 World Cup may not be as guaranteed as many expect.
Besides the muscle injuries that followed him during the current season with Real Madrid, English press reports indicate that the German coach Thomas Tuchel - the technical director of the English team - might prefer relying on players with a higher ability to perform specific tactical roles within the midfield.
This technical vision, along with the physical pressure from continuous participation in European tournaments, might prompt the technical staff to make surprising decisions regarding the national team’s final roster, especially with the availability of many rising young talents.
A different World Cup without its stars?
If the absence of some of these names is confirmed, the 2026 World Cup might witness a major shift in the global balance of power.
Teams like Brazil, Argentina, Belgium, France, and England might enter the tournament without their key stars who have been the backbone of their successes over the past years.
Between knee injuries, aging, and technical changes, some of the greatest players of this generation are indeed racing against time to catch their last chance to participate in the biggest event in the world of football.
