The 2026 World Cup will feature both historic comebacks and painful absences.
Italy, a four-time champion, will miss its third consecutive World Cup after failing to qualify since 2014. Romania will miss a seventh straight tournament, last appearing in 1998. Ireland will watch from home for the sixth consecutive time, their last appearance in 2002.
Wales, despite ending a 64-year drought in Qatar 2022, are out again after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina. North Korea, famous for their 1966 upset of Italy, have not qualified since 2010.
On the positive side, Canada returns as co-hosts, led by Alphonso Davies. Norway, powered by Erling Haaland, is back for the first time in years. Turkey returns for the first time since finishing third in 2002. Scotland, Austria, Czechia, and Paraguay also qualified.
Several teams seen briefly on the biggest stage remain absent: Cuba (1938 quarterfinalists), Indonesia (first Asian team in 1938), Israel (1970), Jamaica (1998), and China (2002).
For some nations, this is a temporary setback. For others, the absence is a long-running wound.