Complete Roster: Several Prominent Nations, Including Italy and Nigeria, Among Top 50 FIFA Sides That Will Likely Sit Out 2026 World Cup

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Thirteen nations ranked among the top 50 in the world will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to the latest rankings released by FIFA on Tuesday, with Italy, Nigeria, and Denmark among the most prominent absentees.

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FIFA’s April 1 update; the final rankings before the tournament kicks off in June, confirmed the full picture of who will and will not feature at the expanded 48-team competition, which begins on June 11 across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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France lead the standings ahead of Spain in second and defending champions Argentina in third, with England, Portugal and Brazil completing the top six. The Netherlands, Morocco, Belgium, and Germany round out the top 10.

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The most striking absence from the tournament is Italy, ranked 12th in the world; the only top-15 side to miss out.

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The Azzurri’s failure to qualify extends a wretched run that now spans three consecutive World Cup absences, dating back to their shock exit from the 2018 qualifying campaign.

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Nigeria, ranked 26th, are the highest-placed African side to miss the tournament. The Super Eagles’ absence is particularly notable given that 10 African teams qualified for the competition.

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Denmark, 20th in the world, are another high-profile casualty.

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The remaining 10 top-50 sides to miss out are Ukraine (32nd), Poland (35th), Russia (36th), Wales (37th), Serbia (39th), Hungary (42nd), Cameroon (45th), Greece (47th), Slovakia (48th), and Venezuela (49th).

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The 48 qualified teams have been drawn into 12 groups of four. France open their campaign in Group I against Senegal on June 16 at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, while Argentina face Algeria in Group J on June 17 in Kansas City. England begin Group L against Croatia the same day in Dallas.

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The next FIFA ranking update is scheduled for June 9, two days before the tournament opener.

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THE FULL LIST OF TOP-50 TEAMS THAT DID NOT QUALIFY:

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Italy (12th)

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Denmark (20th)

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Nigeria (26th)

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Ukraine (32nd)

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Poland (35th)

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Russia (36th)

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Wales (37th)

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Serbia (39th)

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Hungary (42nd)

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Cameroon (45th)

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Greece (47th)

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Slovakia (48th)

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Venezuela (49th)

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