Mexico City, April 1
The remaining places for this year's FIFA World Cup were finalised, capping a qualifying campaign that spanned nearly three years and setting the stage for the tournament's first 48-team edition.
The competition will be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The expanded format has opened the door to new contenders while leaving several established powers and high-profile players on the outside looking in.
Absent giants
Italy will miss a third straight World Cup after losing its playoff final to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties. It has been a rapid fall for the Azzurri, which won its fourth World Cup title in 2006 and won the 2020 European Championship.
Elsewhere, Nigeria's absence stands out in Africa, with the Super Eagles unable to navigate a competitive qualifying campaign despite a squad drawn from top European leagues. Chile, twice Copa America champions in the past 11 years, also missed out as the core of its golden generation fades, reports Xinhua.
Poland is another notable omission, having lost its playoff final against Sweden, while Costa Rica, quarterfinalists in 2014, also missed out for the first time since 2010 after a poor CONCACAF zone qualifying campaign. Even with 16 additional teams in this year's tournament, the list is a reminder that qualification still leaves little margin for error.
Missing stars
Italy's absence will mean the likes of Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Inter Milan pair Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella will enjoy an extended summer break.
Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, one of the most prolific strikers in Europe over the past three years, will also miss out after Guinea was eliminated in African qualifying.
Another high-profile absentee will be Georgia's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was influential in Paris Saint-Germain's UEFA Champions League triumph last year, scoring in the 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final.
But the biggest name missing from football's biggest stage will arguably be Poland's Robert Lewandowski. The 37-year-old Barcelona striker, who has scored 89 goals in 165 games for his country, might have played in his last major international tournament.
Players to watch
Despite being at vastly different points in their respective careers, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal are expected to be central figures in the tournament.
Messi remains Argentina's focal point, still capable of dictating games and delivering at clutch moments despite stepping away from Europe's top leagues.
Mbappe, already a World Cup winner, continues to define France's attack with his pace and finishing, and will again be crucial to their title hopes. Yamal, meanwhile, arrives as one of the game's most exciting young talents, having already played a pivotal role in Spain's recent success.
Portugal midfielder Vitinha will be key to his side's control of matches, while Morocco will again rely on Achraf Hakimi's attacking threat from fullback.
Uruguay's Federico Valverde offers energy and versatility in midfield, and Brazil will look to Vinicius Junior and Raphinha to provide the cutting edge in attack.
Leading contenders
It is difficult to look beyond Spain, France, Argentina and England when assessing the leading title contenders.
Defending champion Argentina retains much of the core that secured its third World Cup in Qatar four years ago. France, which lost the 2022 final, again boasts one of the deepest squads in international football, with Mbappe spearheading an attack that also includes Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Marcus Thuram.
Reigning European champion Spain also deserves to be among the frontrunners, with a young, technically gifted side built around control in midfield.
England, semifinalists at the 2018 World Cup and runners-up at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, continues to be among the most consistent performers on the international arena. Four-time world champion Germany, while inconsistent in recent years, cannot be discounted at major tournaments.
Iran's hopes
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sought to allay doubts about Iran's participation in the tournament, insisting the team would play all of its group matches in the United States as scheduled.
"Iran will be at the World Cup," Infantino said on Tuesday. "We're delighted because they're a very, very strong team. The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw."
There has been ongoing uncertainty over Iran's involvement because of the conflict in the Middle East, with Tehran raising concerns over player safety and banning national and club teams from travelling to countries it considers hostile.
The Iranian football federation said earlier this month it was negotiating with FIFA to relocate the country's World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.
Iran is due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, respectively, before meeting Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
- IANS
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