The 2026 FIFA World Cup will see several traditionally strong football nations miss out on the tournament. Italy, the European champions from 2021, failed to secure their qualification spot, marking another disappointing World Cup cycle for the Azzurri. Nigeria, one of Africa’s most successful national teams, also won’t be participating in the expanded 48-team tournament. These absences highlight the increasingly competitive nature of World Cup qualification across all confederations, as even established football powerhouses can no longer take their participation for granted.
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