FEATURE: Football greats who never played at a World Cup

Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup means that Gianluigi Donnarumma misses out on the global showpiece yet again.

We take a look at other modern-day legendary footballers who were unlucky and never got to play at that stage.

Despite being a modern-day goalkeeping great, Donnarumma has yet to play a World Cup match.

Although he played a starring role in helping Italy win Euro 2020, his career has coincided with the downfall of the four-time world champions.

Since making his national team debut in 2016, the Azzurri have failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups.

Despite this misfortune, goalkeepers can play until 40, as did Donnarumma’s predecessor Gianluigi Buffon. Donnarumma still has time to help his country return to the World Cup.

George Weah

The Liberian is the only African player to win the Ballon d’Or, having done so while at AC Milan in 1995.

The former striker never quite had the luxury of playing alongside quality teammates on international duty.

However, at 36, he helped Liberia come agonizingly close to qualifying for the 2002 World Cup. They finished second in their final qualifying group, just one point behind group winners and eventual qualifiers Nigeria.

Eric Cantona

The controversial former Leeds United and Manchester United forward is regarded as one of the most technically gifted attacking players to play in the EPL since its inception in 1992.

Cantona’s international career with France coincided with the nation failing to qualify for the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.

After a series of disciplinary issues, including a nine-month suspension for his infamous ‘kung-fu kick’ on a fan, he lost his place in the France squad in 1995. He was never selected again and retired from professional football in 1997 at the age of 30.

Ryan Giggs

Best known for his 24-year spell as a left-winger for Manchester United, Giggs also represented his native Wales from 1991 to 2007.

Despite playing alongside talented teammates like Ian Rush, Mark Hughes, and Neville Southall, Wales lacked the depth and consistency to qualify for a major tournament during his playing career.

Giggs never got the opportunity to represent his country on football’s biggest stage. Wales’ long major tournament drought, which began after their appearance in the 1958 World Cup, only ended when they qualified for and reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

Abedi Pele

A three-time African Player of the Year, Pele also played a key role in helping Marseille win the 1993 Champions League.

During his international career, Ghana had not yet developed into the powerhouse they would later become. He never got to play in the World Cup, though the Black Stars came close in 1994.

They needed just one point from their final group match against Algeria but lost in controversial circumstances. The match, played at midnight and marred by allegations of sabotage, remains one of the most infamous games in African World Cup qualification history.