FIFA’s inaugural expanded Club World Cup gets underway this weekend in the United States with a record $1 billion prize pool, but the tournament will be without several of football’s biggest stars due to a complicated qualification process.
Despite the financial incentive and global spotlight, notable absentees include Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal, Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, and Brazilian icon Neymar.
Liverpool’s absence from the tournament means Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah won’t feature, despite a remarkable season in which he tallied 29 goals and 18 assists—setting a Premier League record for goal involvements. Though his season ended in fatigue, Salah doesn’t appear too disappointed to miss the action, having shared a beachside vacation photo on Instagram. Still, fans will miss the chance to see him potentially face Paris Saint-Germain, the side that knocked out Liverpool in the Champions League. Also missing is Florian Wirtz, the highly sought-after Bayer Leverkusen playmaker and a Liverpool transfer target, as his club did not qualify either.
Barcelona’s 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, who has electrified fans with his skill and flair, will miss the opportunity to showcase his talents in the U.S. The teenage winger, seen by many as a future Ballon d’Or contender, might have faced Lionel Messi—his idol and predecessor at Barcelona—who will represent Inter Miami. Barcelona’s other stars, including Raphinha, Pedri, and Robert Lewandowski, will also be absent, leaving a noticeable void in star power.
Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40 and playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr, will also not appear at the Club World Cup. FIFA President Gianni Infantino hinted at the possibility of Ronaldo joining a qualified team, but the move never materialized. “Some teams reached out to me… but you can’t catch every ball,” Ronaldo said last weekend, confirming his commitment to Al Nassr after helping Portugal win the Nations League.
Arsenal, Champions League semi-finalists this season, also failed to qualify, meaning standout winger Bukayo Saka won’t be competing for the prestigious title or prize money. Still without a major club trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, Saka would have welcomed the opportunity to add silverware. The Gunners’ absence is a blow, especially as they aim to catch up with domestic rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.
Recovering from injury and now back with boyhood club Santos, Neymar won’t be among the stars in the U.S. either. Despite his reduced form and fitness, Neymar’s global appeal remains strong, and his absence is seen as a commercial setback for the tournament. “Neymar, what can I say? He’s one of the best of our era,” said Brazil teammate Casemiro.
With several elite players missing, FIFA faces a challenge in delivering the star power expected from a billion-dollar event. As ticket sales reportedly struggle, the absence of global icons like Salah, Ronaldo, and Neymar may prove a setback in the tournament’s debut in the U.S. market.
