Serie A stars set to shine at 2026 World Cup

Italy's absence from the tournament opens the door for several Serie A players to make an impact on the global stage.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:05pm

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While Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is a major disappointment, numerous Serie A players will still be representing their respective countries at the tournament. Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan and Rafael Leao of AC Milan are among the top Serie A stars expected to play key roles for Argentina and Portugal, respectively. Christian Pulisic of Milan will also be a focal point for the host United States team. Scotland's midfield will be anchored by Napoli's Scott McTominay. However, Italy's absence means several other top Serie A talents, including Nicola Zalewski, Piotr Zielinski, and Gianluca Mancini, will miss out on the World Cup.

Why it matters

Italy's third consecutive World Cup absence is a significant blow for Serie A, as the league struggles to keep pace with the financial power of other top European competitions. The lack of Italian representation at the World Cup highlights the challenges facing the Italian top flight in developing top young talent and competing on the global stage.

The details

Several Serie A stars will be key players for their national teams at the 2026 World Cup. Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez is expected to lead Argentina's attack as they bid to defend their title, while AC Milan's Rafael Leao will look to finally deliver on his potential for Portugal. Christian Pulisic of Milan will be a focal point for the host United States team, while Napoli's Scott McTominay will anchor Scotland's midfield. However, Italy's failure to qualify means a number of other top Serie A talents, including Nicola Zalewski, Piotr Zielinski, and Gianluca Mancini, will miss out on the tournament.

  • Italy missed out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a devastating penalty shootout defeat against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the European qualifying playoffs on March 31, 2026.
  • Lautaro Martinez has been sidelined since suffering a calf injury in a Champions League tie in February 2026, but is scheduled to return to action soon.

The players

Lautaro Martinez

An Inter Milan forward who will be a key player for Argentina as they bid to defend their World Cup title. The 28-year-old has scored 36 goals and provided 11 assists in 75 appearances for his national team.

Rafael Leao

The AC Milan winger has struggled with his fitness in recent months, but could be a useful asset for Portugal if he can regain his best form. The 26-year-old has tallied just five goals and seven assists in 43 appearances for his national team so far.

Christian Pulisic

The AC Milan star will be a guaranteed starter for the host United States team at the World Cup, though he has not scored for the national team in eight games, a career-high international drought.

Scott McTominay

The Napoli midfielder will be a key part of the Scotland squad this summer. His stunning goal in the 4-2 win against Denmark that clinched a spot at the 2026 World Cup will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in Scotland's history.

Nicola Zalewski

The Atalanta player is among the notable Serie A talents who have missed out on the 2026 World Cup due to Italy's failure to qualify.

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The takeaway

Italy's absence from the 2026 World Cup is a major disappointment for Serie A, as it means several of the league's top talents will miss out on the global stage. However, the tournament will still feature a strong contingent of Serie A players representing other national teams, providing an opportunity for them to shine on the world's biggest football platform.