Five Big Stars Missing from FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S.

Cristiano Ronaldo

As FIFA launches its first expanded Club World Cup in the United States—with a staggering $1 billion in prize money—some of football’s brightest names will be notably absent.

Here are five top players fans won’t see in action:

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Despite Liverpool’s strong domestic season, they failed to qualify for the tournament due to a complex qualification system. Salah, who set a Premier League record with 29 goals and 18 assists, will be missing. After a draining season, the Egyptian winger might not mind the break—he recently shared a photo relaxing on a beach. Still, fans will miss the chance to see him face Paris Saint-Germain again, alongside other key Liverpool figures like Van Dijk.

Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Barcelona’s teenage sensation, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, has lit up the football world with his electrifying dribbles and flair, drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi. However, since Barcelona didn’t qualify, Yamal misses out—along with teammates Pedri, Raphinha, and Lewandowski. It's a missed opportunity for what could have been his only shot at facing Messi on the world stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
Although Lionel Messi will feature with Inter Miami, his long-time rival Ronaldo won’t be present. Despite speculation about a possible transfer to a qualifying team, Ronaldo confirmed his commitment to Al Nassr. The 40-year-old, who recently helped Portugal win the Nations League, admitted there were offers but chose to stay put.

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Arsenal, despite reaching the Champions League semi-finals, missed out on qualification. Saka, a standout for the Gunners, still has just one major club trophy—the 2020 FA Cup. The Club World Cup would have offered a chance to add to his collection, especially as Arsenal aim to challenge the domestic dominance of Liverpool and Manchester City.

Neymar (Santos)
Now back at Santos after an injury-hit stint with Al-Hilal, Neymar is recovering ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Though past his peak, the Brazilian remains a major draw. His absence is felt both on and off the pitch, with Brazil star Casemiro still ranking him among the game's elite. Organisers hoping to boost ticket sales would surely have welcomed his star power.

Punch

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