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Major Soccer Stars Confirmed Out of 2026 World Cup Due to Injuries and Eliminations

KVIA•Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 9:09 PM•CNN Newsource

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As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, several prominent soccer players have been ruled out, primarily due to injuries and failure to qualify with their national teams. Notable absences include Brazil's midfielder who suffered a serious knee injury, Poland's Robert Lewandowski who could not help his team advance in qualifiers, and Netherlands’ Xavi Simons, also sidelined by injury. Additionally, Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma will miss the tournament as the team did not qualify, marking their third consecutive absence from the World Cup. These developments are significant as they impact the competitive landscape of the tournament, which will be hosted across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Fans and teams will need to adapt to these changes as the event draws near.

Key Details: • FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to take place in June 2026. • Brazil's midfielder suffered a knee injury and will miss the tournament. • Robert Lewandowski and Xavi Simons are among other key players confirmed out. • Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma will also be absent due to the team's failure to qualify.

world-cup soccer fifa injuries qualifiers

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MexicoCanadaUnited StatesFIFARobert LewandowskiGianluigi DonnarummaXavi Simons

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