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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – SEPTEMBER 08: Sandro Tonali of Italy looks on during a Italy training session at Bozsik Stadion on September 08, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Five Italian players, including Sandro Tonali and Gianluigi Donnarumma, are featured in the most valuable XI of those who will not be participating in the World Cup.
Several Italy players feature in the most valuable XI of footballers missing out on the 2026 World Cup.
The Azzurri failed to qualify for the third time in a row, losing the play-off Final on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Transfermarkt (via Gazzetta) has put together a line-up featuring the most valuable players who won’t travel to the USA, Canada and Mexico over the summer.
Italy captain Gigio Donnarumma is the most valuable goalkeeper missing out on the World Cup, while Alessandro Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori feature in a three-man defence.
There are two more Italian representatives in midfield, Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali.
Two former Serie A stars, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen, have failed to qualify for the World Cup with their national teams, Georgia and Nigeria and feature up front.
Kvara is also the second-most valued star not playing at the World Cup after Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, according to Transfermarkt.
Italy will still play two friendly games in June, led by interim coach Silvio Baldini, who will name his Azzurri squad on May 25.
Most valuable XI missing out on 2026 World Cup (3-4-3): Donnarumma: Zabarnyi, Bastoni, Calafiori; Szoboszlai, Tonali, Barella, Baleba; Mbeumo, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
