As the stagger begins to unwind across various continents’ World Cup qualifying competitions, but we do now have some idea in some parts of the world about which countries – and thus which star players – might be in danger of missing out.
Fair to say the peril at this stage for these guys ranges from ‘mild’ to ‘extreme’ but there’s plenty to keep an eye on over the months ahead with key international breaks in September, October and November.
You can check out how World Cup qualifying for the new expanded 48-team tournament works here.
Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Having cited ‘mental tiredness’ as he made himself unavailable for June’s international break, Poland’s talisman was replaced as captain by coach Michal Probierz. Lewandowski’s response was to say that he would not play for Poland again until the coach was sacked.
A damaging 2-1 defeat to Finland on the back of the Lewandowki spat meant that by the time the September internationals came along Probierz was gone and Lewandowski was back for an impressive 1-1 draw in Holland secured by Matty Cash’s late equaliser, with a crunch game for Poland’s chances coming up next in the return against Finland.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
Getting battered by a ridiculously talented Norway side has cost manager Luciano Spalletti his job but it could also help cost Italy a place at the World Cup, and that includes the new Manchester City goalkeeper.
Like Poland, Italy will not get a reprieve via their Nations League finish so they will need to overhaul Israel just to finish second in the group and head to the play-offs.
Kevin de Bruyne (Belgium)
A opening draw with North Macedonia and then a mistake-riddled 4-3 win over Wales does not exactly scream World Cup contenders.
The problem is that Belgium are blessed with attacking talent in De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans, but they have Wout Faes at the back. What a shame if the Manchester City legend bows out of international football with a failed qualifying campaign.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)
Having gone up another level following his move to PSG and swift treble glory inside six months, Kvaratskhelia is now well established among the very best players in the world.
But he still faces an uphill struggle to qualify for a World Cup with Georgia, having to come through what is the toughest and most competitive qualification region and also the one to benefit the least from the expansion to 48 teams.
Georgia must finish second at least in a group containing Spain, Turkey and Bulgaria to remain in contention, and kicking off with a home defeat to Turkey has them on the back foot already.
Sadio Mane (Senegal)
The African qualification tournament is well underway now and with only the top team in each of nine six-team groups going through (the four best runners-up have a convoluted route to redemption involving a play-off for one spot in the inter-confederation play-offs next March) there are plenty of traditional heavyweights in bother.
The biggest names among those probably come from Senegal, who currently sit second behind DR Congo in Group B on the back of disappointing goalless draws against Sudan and Togo.
Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane remains their biggest name, though they beat England without him.
Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
An FA Cup winner last season with Crystal Palace, Sarr played in both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups but despite the expansion of the tournament for 2026 is in real danger of missing out this time around.
Hydrissa Guee (Sengal)
The vastly experienced midfielder has 120 caps to his name but at 35 the likelihood is that 2026 will be his last chance to add an appearance at a third World Cup finals to a CV that includes three French league titles and six years of diligent service to Everton across two spells. Nobody deserves that.
Other familiar faces who will miss out should Senegal fall short include Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
Manchester United’s new arrival may have to spend some time early in his United career also steering his country out of a bit of unwanted bother and strife.
They do still have time to turn things, but are currently trailing Cape Verde after being held to draws by Libya, Angola and Eswatini.
Andre Onana (Cameroon)
Might at least be able to find his way out of Manchester United in the coming days, but has the same pickle as Mbeumo in World Cup qualification terms.
Wilfred patient (Nigeria)
The current Nigeria team may contain fewer star names than some past Super Eagles teams, but it’s still a major surprise to see them languishing a lowly fourth in their group and facing a huge uphill battle just to stay in contention for a place in the play-offs.
Leicester stalwart Ndidi is perhaps the best known of their players to English audiences after his part in helping the Foxes to two fifth-place finishes in the Premier League and an FA Cup, while he stayed after their 2023 relegation to help them straight back into the Premier League.
That return to the top flight went about as well as Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign at this time.
