Football’s greatest never to grace a World Cup

November 18, 2025 Kris Isaksen

Some of the most iconic names in football history never set foot on the sport’s biggest stage – the FIFA World Cup. Whether due to tragic circumstances, national team struggles, or simple bad luck, these legends left a mark on the game without a World Cup appearance to their name. Here’s a look at the greatest players who never played in a World Cup, starting from number 10.

10. Duncan Edwards – England

Duncan Edwards was seen as one of the most promising talents of his generation, making his debut for Manchester United at just 16. Tragically, his life and career were cut short in the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, robbing England of a future star.

9. Ian Rush – Wales

Ian Rush was a deadly striker and Liverpool’s all-time leading scorer, yet he never had the chance to shine at a World Cup. With Wales failing to qualify throughout his career, his international dreams went unfulfilled.

8. Eric Cantona – France

Eric Cantona was as charismatic as he was talented, dominating English football in the 90s with Manchester United. But tensions with the French national team and disciplinary issues meant he missed out on the world stage entirely.

7. Gunnar Nordahl – Sweden

Gunnar Nordahl scored goals for fun at AC Milan, becoming the club’s top scorer. However, Sweden’s ban on selecting professionals playing abroad kept him from competing at the World Cup.

6. Ryan Giggs – Wales

Despite a stellar club career with Manchester United, Ryan Giggs never managed to help Wales reach a World Cup. His international record was strong, but the team around him never quite made the leap.

5. George Weah – Liberia

George Weah made history as the first African to win the Ballon d'Or and later became president of Liberia. But his national team fell just short of qualification in 2002, denying him a World Cup moment.

4. Valentino Mazzola – Italy

Valentino Mazzola was captain of the legendary 'Grande Torino' team, set to lead Italy into the 1950 World Cup. But the 1949 Superga plane crash took his life and those of his teammates, ending a golden era before it reached the global stage.

3. Laszlo Kubala – Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Spain

László Kubala — By Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Rijksfotoarchief: Fotocollectie Algemeen Nederlands Fotopersbureau (ANEFO), 1945-1989 - negatiefstroken zwart/wit, nummer toegang 2.24.01.05, bestanddeelnummer 906-0012 - Nationaal Archief Fotocollectie Anefo, CC BY-SA 3.0 nl, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25395964

Laszlo Kubala represented three nations and became a Barcelona legend, but never appeared at a World Cup. He came closest in 1962 with Spain, but injury ruined his final chance.

2. George Best – Northern Ireland

George Best dazzled for Manchester United but knew early on that Northern Ireland were unlikely to reach the World Cup. He still made 37 appearances and remains his country’s most iconic player.

1. Alfredo Di Stefano – Argentina, Spain

Alfredo di Stéfano — Photo: Wiki Commons

Alfredo Di Stefano played for Argentina, Colombia, and Spain, yet never made a World Cup appearance. An injury before the 1962 tournament ended his final hope, making him the greatest never to grace football’s grandest stage.