World Cup 2026: Biggest teams who failed to qualify for summer tournament including Italy, Denmark, Nigeria

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is well and truly on, with the competition set to kick off on June 11, and it will be a fascinating battle for the trophy this summer.

Spain, England, France, Argentina, Brazil and Portugal will be among those expecting to make a strong push to be crowned winners in the final on July 19.

However, there will be some powerhouse footballers and indeed established football nations that will not be present at the tournament.

Here, Sports Mole looks at the five biggest teams who failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and there are some huge names on the list.

Italy (12th in the FIFA rankings)

Italy, four-time world champions, will not be present at the 2026 tournament, having been knocked out by Bosnia-Herzegovina in a playoff final on March 31.

The Blues have failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row following their disappointment in 2018 and 2022, and their defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina was very damaging.

Italy led in the playoff final against Moise Kean, but Haris Tabakovic forced extra-time, and Bosnia-Herzegovina enjoyed another penalty-shootout triumph following their win over Wales in the semi-finals of the playoffs.

The Blues are in full-blown crisis mode - a footballing nation of their ilk simply cannot miss three World Cups in a row - and it is a very painful period for Gli Azzurri.

Denmark (20th in the FIFA rankings)

Denmark are another powerhouse that have failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, losing 3-1 on penalties to Czech Republic in the semi-finals of the playoffs.

The Red and Whites drew 2-2 with Czech Republic, with penalties ultimately needed to separate the two teams, and it proved to be heartbreak for Brian Riemer's team.

Denmark made the last-16 stage of the 2018 World Cup, but they were eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 tournament and will not be present this summer.

The Red and Whites also previously reached the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup - their best-ever performance - while they made the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

Nigeria (26th in the FIFA rankings)

Nigeria have been regulars in the World Cup since 1994, featuring in six of the last eight tournaments, reaching the round of 16 twice.

However, the Super Eagles were not present in the 2022 tournament and have also failed to secure a position in the finals of the 2026 competition.

Nigeria are the most notable African team to miss the tournament, losing to the DR Congo in the CAF playoff final on penalties, so there will be no Victor Osimhen at the competition.

Poland (35th in the FIFA rankings)

Poland also fell short in the World Cup playoffs, and that is expected to be the end of Robert Lewandowski's international career, which is a huge shame.

The White-Reds have been present in the finals of the last two World Cups, reaching the round of 16 in 2022, but they lost to Sweden in the finals of the playoffs on March 31.

Poland twice came from behind to level it up with Sweden at 2-2, but Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres scored the game's fifth goal in the latter stages to win it for Graham Potter's team.

The Eagles are another European powerhouse that will not be at the World Cup.

Cameroon (45th in the FIFA rankings)

Cameroon will be another notable team absent from the 2026 World Cup, with Les Lions Indomptables failing to secure qualification for the finals.

The African nation have been regulars in the World Cup since 1982, even reaching the quarter-finals of the 1990 tournament, while they were present at the 2022 competition.

However, Cameroon will not feature at the 2026 tournament, having lost in the semi-finals in the second round of CAF qualification to DR Congo.

As a result, the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba will be notable absentees.