Erling Haaland continued his red-hot scoring form with a brace in Norway’s stunning 4-1 win over Italy. Crucially, his goals secured his country’s place at the 2026 World Cup. This success ends a 28-year absence from football’s grandest stage for the nation.
The Manchester City striker netted 16 goals across qualifying, finishing as UEFA’s top scorer. In doing so, he ensured his name would not be added to an unfortunate list of greats who never graced the World Cup.
Norway finished their qualification campaign unbeaten. Therefore, the 25-year-old will finally showcase his talents on the global stage. This is the same stage where his father, Alf-Inge, competed in 1994.
In contrast, several great players, including Ballon d’Or winners, never managed to reach a World Cup finals tournament. Often, their individual brilliance simply could not overcome their national teams’ limitations or just sheer misfortune.
Here are five of the greatest players never to feature at a World Cup.
The greatest players who never played at a World Cup
Alfredo Di Stéfano
The story of Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano is one of football’s most peculiar. Amazingly, he represented three nations (Argentina, Colombia, and Spain) but never played in the World Cup.
First, Argentina did not enter the 1950 or 1954 World Cups while he was eligible. Later, diplomatic complications surrounding his nationality prevented his participation. After finally gaining Spanish citizenship, he played a crucial role in Spain’s qualification for the 1962 World Cup.
⭐️ Today in 1926, the late great Alfredo di Stefano was born. His achievements for Real Madrid:
• 396 Games
• 308 Goals
• 5 European Cups
• 8 LaLigas
• 2 Ballon D’Ors
• 1 Super Ballon D’Or
• 1 FIFA Order Of MeritLegend. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/jLERgkOvWD
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 4, 2024
However, a cruel injury denied him his moment. Sciatica ultimately ruled him out of the entire competition in Chile.
Consequently, his absence robbed the tournament of one of the era’s most complete footballers. He was a five-time European Cup winner who defined Real Madrid’s golden age. In fact, Pelé even described him as the greatest of all time.
George Best
Many regard George Best as one of the greatest players in football history. However, his nation failed to qualify for any major tournament during his career. He earned 37 caps for Northern Ireland during the 1960s and 1970s.
The Manchester United icon’s sublime skills and goal-scoring prowess made him the 1968 Ballon d’Or winner. Yet, he never graced the World Cup stage. His international career, unfortunately, coincided with Northern Ireland’s weakest period.
On 7 February 1970, ⚽ footballing legend George Best returned from a month-long ban to score six goals in one game.
The striker wanted to prove the critics, who said Manchester United had been playing better without him, wrong.
Ray Fairfax, from Northampton Town, was tasked… pic.twitter.com/gToSl4Vhwv
— BBC World Service (@bbcworldservice) February 11, 2025
This meant one of British football’s most gifted players was restricted to only qualifiers and friendlies. Best’s talent transcended the game. Ultimately, geography and timing conspired against him.
Gunnar Nordahl
The story of AC Milan’s prolific Swedish striker, Gunnar Nordahl, is one of football’s great self-inflicted wounds. He was the Rossoneri’s all-time leading scorer (210 Serie A goals) and had scored 43 goals in just 33 caps for Sweden.
However, his 1949 transfer to Italy effectively ended his international career. This was because Sweden had an archaic rule. It prohibited foreign-based professionals from being selected for national teams. This rule meant Nordahl and his celebrated “Gre-No-Li” strike partners had to watch from afar.
Gunnar Nordahl, Sweden#Sweden #Svenska pic.twitter.com/7wTSLHxigo
— Football Memories (@footballmemorys) October 30, 2025
Incredibly, a domestic amateur side finished third at the 1950 World Cup without them. While Sweden eventually lifted the ban, allowing Gren and Liedholm to feature in 1958, it was too late. Nordahl had already retired from international football.
George Weah
George Weah was the first and only African player to win the Ballon d’Or (1995). His exceptional performances for PSG and AC Milan established him as the world’s premier striker.
However, he represented Liberia, a nation that has never qualified for a World Cup. This meant the prolific forward was denied the sport’s biggest stage, despite his immense talent. His trophy-laden club career stood in stark contrast to his international fortunes.
Remember this George Weah wondergoal? pic.twitter.com/cEgfIdA6j3
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) November 2, 2025
Indeed, he won silverware with Monaco, PSG, Milan, and Chelsea. Ultimately, Weah’s global stardom and subsequent presidency of Liberia could not change one reality. He never competed where it mattered most.
Ryan Giggs
Manchester United’s decorated winger earned 64 Wales caps between 1991 and 2007. Yet, he never saw his country reach a World Cup or European Championship during his career.
He remains the most decorated player in the history of English football. Despite winning 13 Premier League titles, Giggs watched successive Wales squads fall short in qualification.
🏴👋 11 years ago today: Ryan Giggs made his final appearance for Manchester United. 🥹
He played for just one club in his senior career: Manchester United. Giggs spent a total of 27 years there.
963 appearances, 168 goals, 268 assists and 35 trophies won. Respect. 🔝 pic.twitter.com/3U8Ibxlnnq
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) May 6, 2025
His absence from major tournaments remains one of the glaring omissions in international football. He had a 23-year career at the highest club level but not a single appearance at a summer finals.
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