FIFA’s first-ever expanded Club World Cup kicks off in the United States this weekend, offering a massive US$1 billion in prize money. But despite the high stakes, several of football’s biggest names will be absent from the tournament. Here are five global stars who won’t be lighting up stadiums across America.
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Despite winning the Premier League, Liverpool will not feature in the Club World Cup due to the tournament’s complex qualification rules—much like Spanish champions Barcelona and Italy’s Napoli.
That leaves out Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah, who set a new Premier League record this season with 29 goals and 18 assists. After a demanding campaign where he faded toward the end, the 31-year-old may welcome the summer off. Still, fans will miss the chance to see Salah—and teammates like Virgil van Dijk—in a potential rematch against PSG, who knocked them out of the Champions League.
Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, a Liverpool transfer target, also misses out, as the German champions didn’t qualify.
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Barcelona’s 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal has taken the football world by storm. His dazzling dribbling, creativity, and maturity have made him one of the most exciting young talents globally—and a dark horse for the Ballon d’Or.
Often hailed as the next Lionel Messi, Yamal won’t get the chance to face the Argentine icon in the U.S., as Barcelona didn’t make the tournament. It could have been a rare—and perhaps only—opportunity to share the pitch with Messi, now playing for Inter Miami. Barcelona teammates like Raphinha, Pedri, and Robert Lewandowski will also be missed.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
Fans hoping for one more Messi vs Ronaldo showdown will be disappointed. Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, had reportedly explored options to join a qualified team for the tournament. Even FIFA president Gianni Infantino hinted at possible discussions about his participation.
Ultimately, Ronaldo confirmed he will remain with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. Fresh off winning the Nations League with Portugal, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner acknowledged receiving interest but chose to stay put. “You can’t catch every ball,” he remarked.
4. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s return to the Champions League knockout stages this season underlined their growth—but wasn’t enough to book a spot at the Club World Cup. That means fans won’t see Bukayo Saka, one of England’s most consistent and dynamic performers.
Still only 23, Saka has played top-flight football for six seasons and could use more silverware to match his reputation. With just an FA Cup and Community Shield in his trophy cabinet, the Club World Cup would have been a prime chance. Arsenal, too, miss out on a shot at global glory and a share of the massive prize pool.
5. Neymar (Santos)
Injuries derailed Neymar’s stint at Al-Hilal, leading to his emotional return to boyhood club Santos in early 2025. The 33-year-old is working to regain form ahead of what may be his final World Cup next year.
Despite being past his peak, Neymar remains one of the game’s biggest commercial draws. His absence is a significant blow not just for footballing reasons, but also for tournament marketing, especially with ticket sales reportedly underwhelming. “In my football era, Neymar’s in the top three—alongside Cristiano and Messi,” said Brazil teammate Casemiro.
