Five Star Footballers Absent from the Club World Cup

As FIFA’s newly expanded Club World Cup kicks off in the United States this weekend—with a staggering US $1 billion prize pool—several marquee names from world football won’t be in action.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Despite Liverpool clinching the Premier League title, they missed out on qualification due to the tournament’s complex entry rules. Consequently, Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah—who set a Premier League record with 29 goals and 18 assists—won’t be featured. After an exhausting campaign, Salah, now pictured relaxing on a sunny beach via Instagram, might welcome a break. Still, fans will lament his absence, alongside captain Virgil van Dijk, especially given the chance to face Paris Saint-Germain again. Also missing is Florian Wirtz, linked with Liverpool, as Bayer Leverkusen fell short of qualification.

Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

Barcelona’s sensational 17‑year‑old Lamine Yamal lit up the season with thrilling dribbles and jaw‑dropping flair. A leading Ballon d’Or contender, his performances have drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi. But with Barcelona absent, fans miss the opportunity to see Yamal face off against his idol—Messi—who will be competing with Inter Miami. Other notable Barcelona absentees include Raphinha, Pedri, and Robert Lewandowski.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo will also miss the U.S. event, unable to reunite with Messi on the pitch. Rumors circulated about a potential temporary switch from Al Nassr to a qualifying club, hinted at by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. But Ronaldo, fresh off Portugal’s Nations League victory, confirmed he’ll stay put—though he revealed club inquiries did arise. “You can’t catch every ball,” he noted, acknowledging interest but ruling out a move.

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

England’s Bukayo Saka, a Champions League semi-finalist with Arsenal, also misses out. Arsenal, who endured another trophyless season, would’ve been eager to chase silverware in the tournament. After carrying only the FA Cup in 2020, Saka—now six seasons in the top flight—could’ve benefited from expanding his accolades. Arsenal will also forfeit a share of the lucrative prize pool, especially as they challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for domestic supremacy.

Neymar (Santos)

Brazilian icon Neymar, who returned to Santos in January after a stint at Al‑Hilal, has been recovering from injury ahead of next year’s World Cup. Now 33, he remains one of football’s biggest commercial stars. Midfielder Casemiro recently praised Neymar as “in the top three” alongside Ronaldo and Messi. Organizers hoped Neymar’s presence would boost ticket sales—making his absence a notable setback.