Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal stars in danger of missing out on expanded 48-team World Cup

Several big names risk missing World Cup qualification, pushing their teams toward tense play-offs. For bettors that increases value in play-off and intercontinental markets, boosts odds on upsets and player-absence props (fewer goals if star forwards miss games). Consider small stakes on underdogs and play-off qualification lines rather than outright group winners.

World Cup qualifying drama: which stars could miss out?

As international qualifying reaches its midpoint in many regions, several household names are perilously close to missing out on the expanded 48-team World Cup. The new format and Nations League safety nets have altered routes to Qatar-style showdowns, but elite players from Europe and Africa still face real risk of lengthy play-off paths or outright elimination.

European risk list: big names threatened

Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden)

Sweden sit bottom of their group at the halfway mark, far behind Switzerland and Kosovo. The Nations League safety net may shield them, but both Isak and Gyokeres — plus Dejan Kulusevski in the wider debate — could find themselves reliant on play-offs rather than direct qualification.

Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

A summer dispute with the coach and a subsequent captaincy shuffle raised questions around Lewandowski’s continuity with Poland. While recent results eased fears, Poland still face tricky play-off scenarios where even wins may only delay more hazardous knockout-style qualification.

Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)

Italy’s heavy defeat to Norway cost Luciano Spalletti his job and left Gli Azzurri chasing at least a play-off spot. Donnarumma and co. now look more likely to navigate the uncertainty of knockout qualification rather than a straightforward group win.

Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

Belgium’s mixed form — an opening draw and a nervy 4-3 win — exposes defensive frailties despite attacking riches. Without a Nations League fallback, De Bruyne’s side could be dragged into a tense finish where qualification is far from guaranteed.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)

Kvaratskhelia’s rise at club level hasn’t translated into an easy qualifying route. Georgia trail Spain and Turkey in a tough group and face the harsh reality that, in Europe, expansion benefits some teams far more than others.

Nikola Milenkovic (Serbia)

Injury problems and a damaging loss to Latvia have dented Serbia’s top-two ambitions in a challenging group. With no Nations League cushion, Milenkovic’s side could be staring at a precarious finish.

Africa’s high-profile casualties

Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)

Cameroon risk missing out in a tight Group D and may need to be among the best runners-up just to reach the African play-offs, which themselves only lead to an intercontinental showdown for final spots. That long route puts Mbeumo and teammates in a precarious position.

Yves Bissouma (Mali)

Mali finished third in their group and are effectively out of contention. Bissouma’s international season ended poorly after a late ankle injury, compounding a difficult campaign.

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

Nigeria’s underperformance leaves them trailing Benin and South Africa with a final match to salvage hopes. Osimhen and a host of notable internationals face a pressure finish to avoid another missed tournament for a major African nation.

What this means for teams and fans

The expanded World Cup has softened elimination in some regions but intensified pressure in others. For nations without a Nations League escape route, every qualifying misstep raises the spectre of play-offs and intercontinental playoffs. Managers and stars will be acutely aware that form over the next international windows could decide participation.

Betting implications and tactical takeaways

Expect markets to shift toward play-off and intercontinental markets as favourites falter. Player availability and mental fatigue will increasingly inform prop bets (goalscorer, assists, minutes). Punters might find value in backing underdogs in tight groups and play-off qualification lines rather than early outright group winners.

Outlook

With November and March breaks looming, these storylines will intensify. Teams with Nations League safety nets gain breathing space, while those without must convert form into points quickly or face a complex, uncertain path to the finals.

Even with a whopping 48 teams taking part in the World Cup, there are still some of the best players in the world at risk of missing out.

Football365