TWith the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, it has become clear that big names alone will not be enough in qualifying. Individual talent is important, but without a team to support it, there is no ticket to big events.
Some of the strongest teams already have half their tickets in their pockets, while others are on the brink of an abyss. And along with them were several top-class players who were able to watch the tournament from home. Unless the team pulls off a miracle, the five international stars are in serious danger of missing out on the World Cup. Established stars currently have dreams farther away than their talent deserves.
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Not even talent can save them
With Isak and Mamadashvili struggling for the national team, Liverpool may have very few opportunities for the national team to participate in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
There is no clear path forward for Gokeres at Arsenal either, but Juventus are dependent on Blachović reaching a milestone with Serbia.
And Atletico Madrid are keeping an eye on Oblak’s situation, with his World Cup dreams with Slovenia on the brink. Will these teams be able to save the crisis in time?
alexander isak
Sweden are once again at risk of missing out on the World Cup, with all eyes on Alexander Isak, the red club’s 145 million euro signing, their biggest transfer of the season.
The striker, who joined as one of his country’s most promising players, is yet to score a goal at this stage, leaving Sweden out of direct competition with the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Recent history is of no use. The Nordic team missed out on the Qatar World Cup and Euro 2024, and all signs point to 2026 potentially being a repeat of history.
Despite being worth $1 million, Isak is unable to be included in the group competing with Kosovo, Slovenia and Switzerland, and his direct ticket is slipping through their fingers.
Victor Gokeres
The same goes for Victor Gokeres. The Swede has a brilliant record in the Premier League with three goals in seven games, but has yet to score in this World Cup qualifier.
The two strikers have saved up more than €200 million in transfer fees this summer. Gökeres was the 13th most expensive player at 65 million euros.
However, there is still a glimmer of hope for Burgurt. With 48 teams participating in the World Cup, the Nations League provides a play-off route for teams who cannot qualify directly.
Sweden will have to wait until November to see if they can qualify for the playoffs after playing two more league games, with the semi-finals and final deciding everything.
Giorgi Mamadashvili
Spain defeated Georgia in their last encounter, but even if the scoreline was even less lopsided, it was thanks to Giorgi Mamadashvili.
The Georgian goalkeeper did an outstanding job saving many chances and denying Ferran Torres a penalty.
Despite this, Georgia has only three points from three games and is in third place in Group E, behind Spain and Türkiye.
Direct qualification is virtually impossible, and to reach second place they need to not only win their next match, but also hope that other teams drop points.
Jan Oblak
The Atlético Madrid goalkeeper may miss out on the 2026 World Cup, despite his impressive performances in the qualifying stages.
The goalkeeper has kept two clean sheets in a row for the Slovenia national team, but the national team’s poor form has put his participation in the World Cup in doubt.
Representanka did not win any of their matches with three draws and one loss, and are in third place in Group B with Switzerland, Kosovo and Sweden.
Slovenia are currently four points out of the play-offs, and their chances of directly qualifying look complicated and depend on miracles in upcoming matches.
Dusan Vlahovic
The last of the five affected is Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. He has shone in Europe this season, scoring four goals in eight games. This includes two goals in six league games and two goals in two Champions League games, giving him an average of one goal per game.
However, in the qualification phase of the 2026 World Cup, he has only scored one goal in five games for the Serbian national team.
The White Eagles are in third place in Group K with seven points, four behind second-place Albania and with a record of four wins and five losses over leaders England.
With only three games remaining for Serbia, the choice is clear. We hope to win the remaining three games, score as many goals as possible and help England and Albania advance.
Both rivals are undefeated so far and Serbia’s path to the 2026 World Cup looks very difficult.
