The US is all set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup next month, along with Canada and Mexico. And, like always, this World Cup will also create heroes. But before the tournament even begins, it derails careers of certain players and makes them ghosts.
Sports can be cruel at times. The World Cup comes once every four years, but careers aren’t aligned accordingly. One injury, one failed qualification campaign, one bad season at the wrong time, and an entire generation disappears from the biggest stage of football.Fans usually spend the months before a World Cup talking about favourites, dark horses, and possible teams who would go on to become champions. But some of football’s heart-wrenching stories belong to players who never even make it there despite having the calibre of performing at that level.
This year will be no different.For example, let us take a look at Victor Osimhen, a centre-forward at Turkish club Galatasaray. Currently, he is one of the most lethal strikers in the world. Few strikers are as explosive or feared right now, yet he will not be at the World Cup because Nigeria failed to qualify. The same goes for Atletico Madrid’s striker/winger Ademola Lookman, who spent the last two seasons shaping one of Europe’s most dangerous attacks.Then, how can we forget Robert Lewandowski? At 37, this World Cup was likely his final realistic shot at the trophy. However, Poland fell short in the playoffs, and one of the greatest strikers of his generation will miss out on the action. He will turn 41 when the next edition occurs in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, and might just hang up his boots by then.This exactly hurts the most. Players of such high calibre who might not return, missing out on the World Cup.Injuries to poor form
