International Football
10 BEST PLAYERS WHO WON’T BE AT THE 2018 WORLD CUP
The 2018 World Cup field is almost completely set. After Europe’s teams sorted things out this week, there are only a few inter-confederation playoff matches left to finish. With several traditional powers failing to qualify for Russia, there are a number of top-flight players who won’t wind up in the World Cup.
Ryan Phillips of the Big Lead takes a look at the 10 best players who won’t be in Russia next summer.
Gianluigi Buffon, Italy
Sadly, Gianluigi Buffon, the long-time keeper for the Italians retired from international competition after his side failed to qualify for the 2018 cup. The Azzurri lost a two-leg playoff against Sweden and will miss the event for the first time since 1958.
The 39-year-old Buffon was the team captain and racked up a remarkable 175 caps for his nation’s team. He made his international debut in 1997 and backstopped the Italians to a World Cup victory in 2006. He’s still considered among the best keepers in the world and has made an insane 496 Serie A appearances for Juventus.
Gareth Bale, Wales
After a solid run to the semifinals at Euro 2016, many thought Wales could actually reach the 2018 World Cup. Unfortunately, the Dragons fell just short, finishing third in Group D, and missing out on advancing to a playoff by just two points. That means Gareth Bale and his man-bun will be at home next summer.
The 28-year-old winger has now made 105 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid since his arrival in 2013, and has netted 56 goals. He also helped lead Madrid to the 2017 Champions League title after missing long stretches due to injury.
Arjen Robben, Netherlands
Somehow the three-time World Cup runners-up managed to miss qualifying this time around, as the Dutch finished third in Group A behind France and Sweden. They actually tied the Swedes with 19 points, but were done-in on goal differential. That means Arjen Robben won’t be headed to his fourth World Cup.
Robben led the Netherlands to the final in 2010 where his team fell to Spain. The winger won two Man of the Match awards at the 2006 World Cup and the Dutch reached the Round of 16. In 2014, he finished third in the race for the Golden Ball and led his team to a third place finish. The Bayern Munich star is now 33 and retired from international competition when his country failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Alexis Sanchez, Chile
It’s truly incredible that Chile has missed out on World Cup qualification this year, after winning Copa America in 2015 and 2016, then placing second at this summer’s Confederations Cup. Chile finished in sixth place in CONMEBOL qualification, tied with Peru in points. Unfortunately, the Peruvians had a better goal differential and are in the middle of a two-leg, inter-confederation playoff with New Zealand.
Sadly, that means Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez won’t be in Russia next summer. Alexis is a 28-year-old scoring machine, who has potted 54 goals in 109 Premier League matches for the Gunners. The pocket-sized forward won the Golden Ball at Copa America Centenario and the Silver Ball at the Confederations Cup.
Antonio Valencia, Ecuador
Ecuador was clearly on the outside looking in for qualification in CONMEBOL qualification, but that doesn’t mean Antonio Valencia will be missed any less. Valencia’s team finished eighth out of 10 teams in South America’s qualifying group, but the long-time Manchester United defender wasn’t part of the problem.
Valencia has been with the Red Devils since 2009 and has made a whopping 215 appearances for the club. He’s been equally as important to Ecuador, as he’s earned 92 caps since 2004 and captained the team during the 2014 World Cup. He also played for the team at the 2006 World Cup and was a finalist for the competition’s Best Young Player Award.
David Alaba, Austria
While Austria isn’t exactly a soccer power, the presence of a top-flight player like Davis Alaba sometimes takes a country’s team to another level. That didn’t happen this go-round, as the Austrians finished fourth in Group D and out of the running.
Alaba is a 25-year-old defender for Bayern Munich who has risen to become the captain of Austria’s national team. He has already earned 59 caps for his country, while making 174 Bundesliga appearances for his club. He’s been the Austrian Footballer of the Year for six years running, is a three-time member of the UEFA Team of the Year and a two-time member of the Bundesliga Team of the Season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon
No, Gabon was never on the inside track to reach the 2018 World Cup, but it’s still sad the Les Pantheres didn’t manage to break through this cycle. Gabon was third in its qualifying group in CAF, finishing six points behind first-place Morocco. As a result we won’t get to see one of the world’s premier wingers on the world stage.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has developed into one of the Bundesliga’s most reliable finishers and has led Borussia Dortmund in goals three seasons running, while leading the Bundesliga with 31 last season. The 2015 African Footballer of the Year was the 2015-16 Bundesliga Player of the Year and was on the league’s 2016-17 Team of the Year. He’s also Gabon’s all-time leading goalscorer with 23 international tallies.
Leonardo Bonucci, Italy
Like his countryman Buffon, LeonardBonucci will be missing out on another World Cup, as 2018 would have been his third. One of the best center backs in the world, Bonucci has had a rough go of things since leaving Juventus for A.C. Milan over the summer. Still, when he right, he’s an unbelievable force in the middle of a defense.
Since 2010, Bonucci has been a mainstay for the Italians, making 75 appearances. He was one of the best players at Euro 2016, and was on UEFA’s Team of the Year last season as well. Again, he hasn’t been in top form so far for Milan, but it will come and he will almost certainly be back among the best defenders in the world before long.
Riyad Mahrez, Algeria
This is a bit of an interesting pick because Riyad Mahrez hasn’t been the same player he was during the 2015-16 season. Still, Mahrez is an outstanding winger who is a little more than one season from being named the Premier League PFA Players’ Player of the Year and being on the Premier League Team of the Year. He also finished seventh for the Ballon d’Or in October of 2016.
The Leicester City man has expressed a desire to leave the club, and that has likely impacted his play of late. Still, his form had little to do with Algeria missing the World Cup. The Desert Warriors finished last in their CAF group, totaling just two points, 12 behind Nigeria. Unfortunately, Mahrez won’t get to return to his second World Cup.
Christian Pulisic, United States
I’ll admit it, this is a bit of a homer pick, but it’s hard to argue that Christian Pulisic isn’t among the best young players in the world right now. The 19-year-old lost out on the chance to go to his first World Cup when the United States shockingly failed to qualify. Pulisic has been a stellar addition to the American ranks, scoring nine goals and racking up a number of assists in just 20 caps.
Meanwhile, the midfielder/winger has been fantastic for Borussia Dortmund as well, netting seven Bundesliga goals in 49 appearances. It would have been a blast watching the Hershey, Pennsylvania native tear it up in Russia. Unfortunately, it was just a huge missed opportunity for America’s next big soccer superstar.
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has expressed deep appreciation to Nigerians at home and across the diaspora as he prepares to make his 100th appearance for the national team in Wednesday’s international friendly against Portugal in Leiria.
The Fulham star, who will become only the fourth Nigerian player to reach the century mark in international appearances, said he remains proud of his decision to represent Nigeria despite having featured for England at youth level.
“I am proud to be where I am today; proud to wear the green-and-white,” Iwobi said. “I am grateful to everyone, including the coach who called me up to the team for the first time. I have no regrets choosing Nigeria.”
Iwobi made his senior debut for Nigeria on October 8, 2015, in a friendly match against DR Congo in Visé, Belgium. Incidentally, it remains a notable date in Nigerian football history. October 8 marks the anniversary of Nigeria’s first-ever international match, and over the decades, it has often brought good fortune to the national team. The defeat to DR Congo was only the second loss Nigeria had suffered on that date in 77 years of international football.
Remarkably, 128 months after that debut, Iwobi—nephew of Nigerian football icon Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha—is set to celebrate his 100th cap in another friendly match on European soil.
Reflecting on the journey that has taken him from a promising youngster to one of Nigeria’s most experienced internationals, the 30-year-old revealed that he always felt a strong connection to his roots.
“I first went to the Nigeria U23 team camp and felt at home. I had represented England at youth level but always felt Nigeria was home,” he explained. “My father always told me to go out there and enjoy my football, and make the decision that I felt was good for me. He was part of the decision, but he didn’t force it down on me.”
Despite reaching a milestone achieved by only a select few Nigerian players, Iwobi remains humble about his place in the game’s history.
“After 10 years and eight months, I won’t say I am a legend; I only see myself as a Super Eagles player. It feels great to be looking at a 100th cap and, on a lighter note, I wish I could add another 100 caps. I have enjoyed my time with the Super Eagles.”
Among his many memories in national colours, Iwobi singled out his decisive goal against Zambia in Uyo in October 2017 as the most memorable moment of his international career. The strike sealed Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
“I loved the occasion because my dad and my mum were both at the stadium and saw it all, and we celebrated together afterwards. It was an exciting moment,” he recalled.
While he acknowledged that winning the Africa Cup of Nations and featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup would have further enriched his career, he remains content with his journey.
“Yes, I would have loved to win the AFCON and perhaps be with the Eagles at the FIFA World Cup that is about to kick off in a few days, but no regrets.”
Iwobi’s father, Barrister Chuka Iwobi, described the family’s pride in the midfielder’s achievement and thanked Nigeria for the opportunity afforded his son.
“We remain ever grateful to the nation for the opportunity Alex has been given,” he said. “When he made his debut in 2015, little did we know that this was the beginning of an amazing and incredible journey which would lead to him achieving the milestone of a hundred caps and with the potential of many more caps to come.”
He praised his son’s commitment to the national team, adding: “Alex loves playing for the nation and always gives his best. No one can ever question his commitment, devotion and patriotism while wearing the green-and-white. There have been highs and lows over the years, but he has emerged stronger from the experience of playing for the country.”
Iwobi’s international career has seen him feature at four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, winning a silver medal in 2023 and bronze medals in 2019 and 2025. He also represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
His impending 100th cap places him in an elite group of Nigerian footballers. Former captain Joseph Yobo was the first Super Eagles player to reach the milestone, doing so during Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash against France at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama followed, earning his 100th cap in a friendly match against Uganda in Uyo.
Current captain Ahmed Musa became the third member of the exclusive club in 2021, with his landmark appearance coming in Nigeria’s victory over the Central African Republic in Yaoundé, Cameroon—a feat made even more memorable by the team’s victory on the occasion.
Now, as he prepares to join that distinguished company, Iwobi will hope to mark the occasion with a memorable performance and a victory against Portugal, adding another proud chapter to an international career spanning more than a decade and defined by consistency, commitment and unwavering loyalty to the green-and-white colours of Nigeria.
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International Football
Eriksen Suffers Fresh Collapse During Denmark Friendly, Reviving Memories of Euro 2020 Ordeal
Denmark’s football community was left shaken once again on Sunday after midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed during an international friendly against Ukraine, five years after his dramatic cardiac arrest during the European Championship.
The 34-year-old playmaker fell to the turf 20 minutes into the second half of Denmark’s friendly match against Ukraine, prompting immediate concern among players, officials and supporters who recalled the harrowing scenes from Euro 2020.
The Danish Football Association (DBU) later reassured fans that Eriksen was conscious and in stable condition.
“Christian Eriksen is conscious and is doing well under the circumstances,” the federation said in a statement posted on the social media platform X, confirming that the match had been abandoned.
Television footage showed Eriksen clutching his chest moments before collapsing, triggering a swift response from medical personnel. As had happened during Denmark’s European Championship match against Finland in Copenhagen in 2021, players from both teams quickly formed a protective ring around him while medics attended to him on the pitch.
Eriksen was eventually able to walk unaided to an ambulance before being transported to hospital for further examination.
DBU doctor Morten Boesen said the midfielder had recovered consciousness quickly and was communicating normally.
“Christian is doing well and walked from the field himself. As I see it, the pacemaker is working as it should,” Boesen told Danish media.
“He was briefly gone, but very quickly regained consciousness, and we were quickly in contact with him. He will now be examined further in the hospital to find out what caused the incident.”
Boesen added that Eriksen had asked him to reassure teammates that he was okay.
The incident inevitably revived memories of June 12, 2021, when Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening match of the European Championship against Finland. On that occasion, medical staff performed life-saving CPR on the field before he was rushed to hospital.
Following the incident, Eriksen was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD), a device designed to monitor heart rhythms and deliver corrective electrical impulses when necessary. He subsequently resumed his professional career and returned to international football, becoming an inspirational figure in the sport.
Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Højbjerg described the shock felt by players as they witnessed Sunday’s incident unfold.
“There is a throw-in, and then I go out to the side and turn around, and I see Christian on his way to the floor,” Højbjerg told Danish broadcaster TV2.
“Everyone reacted super-fast and with respect. I can only compliment the courage shown by those who took care of Christian on the field. The most important thing is that Christian is doing well.”
At the time the match was halted, Denmark were leading Ukraine 2-1. Neither nation qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After officials called off the game, players and coaching staff from both teams gathered arm in arm in a circle at midfield in a show of solidarity.
Denmark coach Brian Riemer praised the dignified response of everyone involved.
“The most important thing is that Christian is doing well, and he has sent his regards to the players,” Riemer said.
“Now it’s about us standing together, as you could see that we did in the most dignified way on the field. It is about supporting one another and ensuring that everyone has a shoulder to lean on.”
As Danish football awaits further medical updates, Sunday’s events served as a stark reminder of one of the sport’s most frightening moments and highlighted once again the unity and compassion that can emerge in times of crisis.
By Kunle Solaja.
This Wednesday’s international friendly between Nigeria and Poland offers both nations a chance to begin rebuilding after narrowly missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles and the White-Reds both fell at the final hurdle of their respective playoff campaigns, leaving them with unfinished business as they prepare to meet in Warsaw.
Nigeria reached the African playoff final after overcoming Gabon but suffered heartbreak in a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo. Poland’s hopes were dashed in equally dramatic fashion as they defeated Albania before losing 3-2 to Sweden in the UEFA playoff final.
With World Cup dreams postponed, both sides are now focused on laying foundations for future competitions.
Both have met just once in the past, with Nigeria famously snatching a 1-0 win in a March 2018 friendly match. Victor Moses ’ 61st-minute penalty kick goal was the decider in the match in which Robert Lewandowski captained the Polish side.
For Nigeria, Wednesday’s match also presents an opportunity to maintain momentum after an encouraging run of results under Eric Chelle. The Super Eagles arrive in Warsaw unbeaten in their last five matches, including convincing victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica en route to retaining the Unity Cup.
Poland’s recent form has been less convincing. Following a 2-2 friendly victory over Malta and a playoff win against Albania, they have suffered defeats to Sweden and Ukraine.
The match will also revive memories of the nations’ only previous meeting in March 2018, when Victor Moses’ penalty secured a 1-0 victory for Nigeria in Wroclaw ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Seven years later, both teams meet again under different circumstances but with the same objective — restoring confidence and building momentum for the future.
NIGERIA’S LAST FIVE MATCHES
Egypt 0 Nigeria 0 (AFCON third-place match: 17/01/26) – Nigeria win after penalty shootout
Iran I Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 27/03/26)
Jordan 2 Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 31/03/26)
Nigeria 2 Zimbabwe 0 (Unity Cup 2026: 26/05/26)
Jamaica 0 Nigeria 3 (Unity Cup 2026: 30/05/26)
POLAND’S LAST FIVE MATCHES
Poland 1 Netherlands 1 (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 14/11/25)
Malta 2 Poland 3 (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 17/11/25)
Poland 2 Albania 1 (2026 World Cup Playoff: 26/03/26)
Sweden 3 Poland 2 (2026 World Cup Playoff: 31/03/26)
Poland 0 Ukraine 2 (International Friendly: 31/05/26)
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