Borussia Dortmund
Not Going to North America: Profiling the Premier Names Missing the 2026 World Cup
A tactical and qualification review of high-profile players who will not appear at the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup will arrive without a collection of high-profile players whose absence reflects qualification failures, managerial choices and underwhelming form. This piece examines those omissions using only the available facts.
Slovenia’s collapse in qualifying means Jan Oblak could finish his career without a World Cup appearance. Slovenia failed to qualify for the first time since 2010 and Oblak will be 37 by 2030. The draft noted signs that his once exceptional consistency has dissipated, though he remains Slovenia’s No. 1 for the immediate future.
Serbia missed automatic qualification and its campaign produced just nine goals in eight qualifiers. Dragan Stojković resigned last October and Veljko Paunović took over. Dušan Vlahović scored twice in qualifying and the side missed second place by one point to Albania. Compatibility issues between Vlahović and Aleksandar Mitrović were cited as factors.
Germany left Karim Adeyemi at home. Nagelsmann’s decision matters because Adeyemi, at Borussia Dortmund, offers genuine pace and a threat in behind—qualities distinct from Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, Deniz Undav and Maximilian Beier. His goalscoring record is not strong, but his profile is unique within the squad.
France omitted Eduardo Camavinga. The Real Madrid midfielder has struggled for form this term, and the “dire club campaign” may persuade him to leave Madrid.
England manager Thomas Tuchel selected Reece James, Tino Livramento and Djed Spence at right back, leaving out Trent Alexander-Arnold. Alexander-Arnold had a difficult debut season at Real Madrid, struggled for a regular starting place and faced increased scrutiny over defensive vulnerabilities.
Italy’s failure to qualify saw an emotional playoff final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina after Alessandro Bastoni’s red card; Sandro Tonali scored in the playoff semifinal. Inter teammate Nicoló Barella and others including Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Manuel Locatelli and Riccardo Calafiori will watch from home.
Other notable absentees include Sehou Guirassy for Guinea, Ademola Lookman after Nigeria’s disastrous campaign, Benjamin Šeško with Slovenia, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden after dips in form, João Pedro despite 23 goals for Chelsea, Bryan Mbeumo with Cameroon eliminated by DR Congo, Robert Lewandowski after Poland’s playoff defeat to Sweden, Victor Osimhen’s Nigeria missing out, and Gianluigi Donnarumma who failed to save any of four penalties in the Bosnia shootout.
Each omission alters the tournament’s shape and underlines how qualification, selection and form determine World Cup participation.
Barcelona
Who Has Won the Most League Titles in Europe’s Big Five?
Five players have reached 13 league titles across Europe’s top five leagues; Lewandowski joined them
Winning a title in one of Europe’s top five leagues is rare. Even rarer is the company of players who have accumulated double-digit league winners’ medals across the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and the Bundesliga.
Only five players in European history have reached a total of 13 league titles, with Robert Lewandowski the latest to join that group. The Polish striker won La Liga for a third time with Barcelona in 2025–26, adding to his eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and two more Meisterschalen with Borussia Dortmund.
Two former Bayern teammates, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller, complete the group who each have 13 league crowns. Müller and Neuer won all 13 of their league titles with the Bavarian giants. Kingsley Coman also sits on 13: he collected nine Bundesliga crowns with Bayern, alongside two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain and two Serie A triumphs with Juventus. Ryan Giggs provides English representation in the 13-title list, having won 13 Premier League titles during his remarkable 21-year spell with Manchester United.
Three players have reached 12 league titles. Lionel Messi won 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona before adding two Ligue 1 crowns with PSG. Paco Gento is listed on 12 titles for Real Madrid. David Alaba lifted 10 Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich before adding two La Liga triumphs with Real Madrid.
A further four players have won 11 league titles across Europe’s top tiers. Those names include Thiago Alcântara (Barcelona, Bayern Munich), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, PSG), Arjen Robben (Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich) and Paul Scholes.
This tally highlights how a small group of players have combined longevity and success at dominant clubs to assemble exceptional league records across Europe’s five leading competitions.
Aston Villa
Jadon Sancho weighs a third Borussia Dortmund spell as Man Utd contract ends
Jadon Sancho is open to a third spell at Borussia Dortmund as his Manchester United deal ends. June.
Jadon Sancho has indicated an openness to a third spell at Borussia Dortmund once his Manchester United contract expires this summer. Sky Sport Germany reports Sancho has “communicated his willingness” to return to the club where he enjoyed his most productive years and where, on a short-term loan, he helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final in 2024.
Dortmund had shown interest last summer but ultimately judged the move too costly. Sancho instead moved on from United, spending 2024–25 on loan at Chelsea before joining Aston Villa, and this season he has mainly been used as a backup option.
Sancho’s best period remains his first Dortmund spell, aged 17 to 21, when he emerged as a potent threat from both flanks. The compiled season record in the original report underlines that output across his early Dortmund seasons and subsequent spells (including detailed goals and assists totals from 2017–18 through the ongoing 2025–26 season at Aston Villa).
According to the Sky Germany piece, talks have included “specific financial details” and Sancho has expressed a preference for Dortmund ahead of a “multitude” of alternatives. Manager Niko Kovač is reportedly supportive, but the decision will rest with managing director Lars Ricken and sporting director Ole Book.
Staying at Aston Villa remains a possibility. When asked in February, Unai Emery said: “Hopefully he can help us by increasing his qualities in our structure like he is doing,” Emery said at the time. “He will need another contract, and maybe it could be here. If he plays his best football, we will want him. But other teams could also be involved in the interest for him.” Any Villa continuation would depend on contract terms and how well Sancho fits the club’s structure.
Other potential destinations mentioned include Turkish sides such as Galatasaray or Fenerbahçe, Napoli and AC Milan, as well as a more unlikely Watford homecoming. The report notes the risks and rewards of those options and concludes Sancho, still only 26, needs a clear reset to revive his career.
Borussia Dortmund
United Linked with Dortmund Defender Waldemar Anton as Summer Window Looms
Man United weigh move for Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton as squad rebuild and midfield exits loom .
Manchester United have been linked with Borussia Dortmund centre back Waldemar Anton in recent reports from Germany. Dortmund are expected to pursue fresh terms for Anton, but with two years remaining on his current contract suitors believe a summer approach could yield a bargain.
Anton, who turns 30 this summer, has spent much of his career under the radar. He began his senior career with Hannover before impressing at Stuttgart and earning a move to Dortmund in the summer of 2024. Standing at 6’2″, he has developed a reputation as a no-nonsense defender: willing to put his body on the line, comfortable in aerial duels and someone who gains confidence in physical encounters.
That profile only tells part of the story. Stuttgart used Anton at the base of midfield to make the most of his passing ability, and he is regarded as a smart operator on the ball. His strongest displays remain in the heart of defence, where leadership and attitude have become defining features of his game. Those who have worked with him describe “a player who gives everything in training, leads by example and knows how to encourage those around him.” The same sources say he is a model professional and could be in contention for the Dortmund captaincy if Nico Schlotterbeck departs this summer.
For United, cultivating that type of presence has been high on the agenda. Ruben Amorim helped oversee a changing of the guard and Michael Carrick has reminded the squad of what it really means to play for United. With Champions League action expected to return to Old Trafford next season, the club anticipates an active window.
Central midfield remains the priority. Casemiro’s impending departure and the likely sale of Manuel Ugarte would leave Kobbie Mainoo as the only natural midfielder. Club officials are preparing a war chest of around $250 million to sign at least two targets, including Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba. Improvements at full back and potentially at striker if Joshua Zirkzee leaves are also expected, while opinion is divided on whether another central defender is required. On paper United have depth at centre back, with Harry Maguire on the cusp of a new contract alongside Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, De Ligt and Martínez, but fitness considerations could alter plans.
