The $4 billion prize: 48 teams, but who's missing?

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 48 teams, but several traditional powerhouses will be absent from the tournament.

According to a report, Italy, a four-time World Cup winner, has not qualified for the tournament since 2014 and missed out on the 2026 World Cup due to a poor performance in the UEFA playoffs.

Poland, which has qualified for the past two World Cups, also failed to make the cut after losing to Sweden in the playoffs.

Four-time winner Italy's 12-year drought

Italy's absence from the 2026 World Cup marks a 12-year drought for the team, which last participated in the 2014 World Cup.

The team's poor performance in the UEFA playoffs was a significant factor in their failure to qualiify for the tournament.

Poland's playoff heartbreak

Poland's loss to Sweden in the playoffs was a major setback for the team , which had qualified for the past two World Cups.

The team's failure to make the cut for the 2026 World Cup marks a significant decline in their fortunes.

Denmark's playoff elimination

Danish football fans will be disappointed to learn that their team was eliminated in the playoffs due to a penalty shootout loss.

The team's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup marks a significant setback for Danish football.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

The identity of the teams that will replace the absent powerhouses in the 2026 World Cup remains a mystery.

According to the report, several teams from the CONCACAF region have qualified for the tournament, but the identity of the teams from the UEFA region remains unknown.

What auditors flagged in the May filing?

The report does not provide any information on what auditors flagged in the May filing, but it is clear that the teams that failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup have significant work to do if they hope to regain their status as global football powerhouses.

The teams that will replace the absent powerhouses in the 2026 World Cup will have a significant opportunity to make a statement and establish themselves as major players in global football .