The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, and with it, the anticipation for the tournament's star players and their potential impact on the game's future. However, not all players who have been named in their respective national squads will get the chance to showcase their talents on the grandest stage. Some, like Kobbie Mainoo, have been overlooked, while others, like David Raya and Zakaria El Ouahdi, have been left on the sidelines despite their impressive club performances.
In this article, we take a closer look at some of the players who have been named in their national squads but have yet to make an appearance for their teams in the 2026 World Cup. From goalkeepers to wingers, these players have the potential to make a significant impact on their teams' success, but their chances of playing time may be limited.
David Raya (Spain)
Raya, the Arsenal goalkeeper, has been a standout performer for the Gunners this season, helping them reach the Champions League final. However, his international career has been a different story. Despite his impressive club form, Raya has been a second-choice goalkeeper for Spain, with Unai Simon, the shot-stopper for Athletic Bilbao, preferred for the national team.
Raya's last competitive minutes for Spain came in November 2024, and his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim. The Spanish manager, Luis de la Fuente, has stated that it would be unfair to leave out Simon, who has set a new World Cup record for most consecutive minutes without conceding.
Zakaria El Ouahdi (Morocco)
El Ouahdi, the Genk defender, has been a key player for his club, but his international career has been a different story. The Moroccan national team has yet to require his services in the 2026 World Cup, and his chances of playing time are looking slim.
El Ouahdi has an Olympics bronze and U23 Africa Cup of Nations winner's medal to his name, but as Achraf Hakimi's understudy, he has only played three caps for the seniors. His chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential US visa issues may have played a role in his lack of international call-ups.
Trevoh Chalobah (England)
Chalobah, the England center-back, was promoted to the standby list after an injury forced Tino Livramento's withdrawal. However, his inclusion was not a natural or popular choice, and his chances of playing time in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim.
Chalobah's role in the national team is yet to be determined, but his potential to play as a full-back on both sides of the field could be a significant asset for the team. His chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a full-back on both sides of the field could be a significant asset for the team.
Koni De Winter (Belgium)
De Winter, the Belgium center-half, has been a key player for his club, AC Milan, but his international career has been a different story. The 24-year-old has only just completed his third full top-flight season and has yet to find a way into the Belgium defense.
De Winter's chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play in a back three could be a significant asset for the team. However, his chances of playing time are looking slim, and his potential to play in a back three could be a significant asset for the team.
Lucas Hernandez (France)
Hernandez, the France left-back, has been a key player for his club, but his international career has been a different story. The world champion has missed just 40 minutes of France's successful 2018 campaign in Russia, and his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim.
Hernandez's role in the national team is yet to be determined, but his potential to play as a left-back or wing-back could be a significant asset for the team. His chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a left-back or wing-back could be a significant asset for the team.
Victor Munoz (Spain)
Munoz, the Spain right-winger, has been a key player for his club, but his international career has been a different story. The 22-year-old has been a natural on the left, and his versatility has been a key trait for Liverpool, who triggered his £34.5m release clause this summer.
However, his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a right-winger could be a significant asset for the team. His chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a right-winger could be a significant asset for the team.
N'Golo Kante (France)
Kante, the France central midfielder, has been a key player for his club, but his international career has been a different story. The midfielder has been a substitute for France, and his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim.
Kante's potential to play as a central midfielder could be a significant asset for the team, and his potential to play as a central midfielder could be a significant asset for the team. However, his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a central midfielder could be a significant asset for the team.
Warren Zaire-Emery (France)
Zaire-Emery, the France central midfielder, has been a key player for his club, but his international career has been a different story. The 20-year-old has been an unused substitute for France, and his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim.
Zaire-Emery's potential to play as a central midfielder could be a significant asset for the team, and his potential to play as a central midfielder could be a significant asset for the team. However, his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a central midfielder could be a significant asset for the team.
Martin Zubimendi (Spain)
Zubimendi, the Spain central midfielder, has been a key player for his club, but his international career has been a different story. The midfielder has been a natural on the left, and his versatility has been a key trait for Spain.
However, his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a central midfielder could be a significant asset for the team. His chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a central midfielder could be a significant asset for the team.
Alex Grimaldo (Spain)
Grimaldo, the Spain left-winger, has been a key player for his club, but his international career has been a different story. The midfielder has been a natural on the left, and his versatility has been a key trait for Spain.
However, his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a left-winger could be a significant asset for the team. His chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a left-winger could be a significant asset for the team.
Ivan Toney (England)
Toney, the England center-forward, has been a key player for his club, but his international career has been a different story. The midfielder has been a natural on the left, and his versatility has been a key trait for Spain.
However, his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a center-forward could be a significant asset for the team. His chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup are looking slim, and his potential to play as a center-forward could be a significant asset for the team.
