Best XI features players from countries missing the World Cup
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 6, 2026, 1:58 PM
Last updated Jun 6, 2026
An all-star team has been assembled featuring players from nations not qualifying for the World Cup. This squad includes notable names such as Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma and Georgia's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with a limit of two players per country. Donnarumma, currently with Manchester City, has quickly adjusted to the Premier League after his time at Paris Saint-Germain. His standout performances include key moments in Euro 2020, though he faced criticism after failing to save penalties in a crucial playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina. With these players having the summer off, the absence of these talented stars from the World Cup raises discussions around the competitive of international soccer.
- •Best XI features players from unqualified countries for the World Cup.
- •Gianluigi Donnarumma included after move to Manchester City.
- •Donnarumma criticized for penalty failures in World Cup playoffs.
- •Limit of two players per nation in the all-star team.
- •Players like Kvaratskhelia represent top talent missing from the tournament.
- 1:58 PMThe Guardian Sport — Shattered dreams: best XI from countries not at the World Cup
"From Donnarumma to Kvaratskhelia, this all-star team, with a maximum of two players per country, all have the summer off The 27-year-old Italy captain is widely considered one of the best keepers in the world. After a high-profile move to Manchester City, he has quickly adapted to the Premier League demands for ball-playing, a skill he honed at Paris Saint-Germain. Despite his Euro 2020 penalty-saving heroics, Donnarumma failed to stop a single one against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Azzurri’s crunch World Cup playoff. Continue reading...
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