As FIFA prepares to kick off its first expanded Club World Cup in the United States this weekend, with a staggering $1 billion prize pool, the tournament will notably be without several of football’s biggest names.
Despite the excitement, the absence of these stars, due to qualification rules or personal circumstances, casts a shadow over the spectacle.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool may have ended the season as Premier League champions, but their absence from the Club World Cup means Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah won’t feature. Despite a standout season—breaking records with 29 goals and 18 assists—Salah will instead enjoy a rare summer break, having faded in the season’s latter stages. A potential rematch with Champions League opponents Paris Saint-Germain will remain a what-if, as will the presence of other Anfield stars like Virgil van Dijk.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
At just 17, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has dazzled fans with his flair and creativity, drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi. A breakout season saw him emerge as one of the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or. Yet, the Spanish champions did not qualify, denying fans a potential Messi-Yamal showdown on U.S. soil. Fellow Barça talents like Pedri, Lewandowski, and Raphinha will also be absent from the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
Although Lionel Messi is expected to play for Inter Miami, his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be joining him. Despite reports of interest from qualified clubs and comments from FIFA President Gianni Infantino suggesting discussions were held, the 40-year-old striker confirmed his commitment to Al Nassr. “Some teams reached out… but you can’t try and do everything,” Ronaldo said, putting an end to speculation.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
England winger Bukayo Saka, a driving force for Arsenal in their Champions League campaign, will also be absent as the Gunners didn’t qualify. Arsenal’s narrow misses in multiple competitions this season leave Saka, still just 23, without the international club stage he deserves. For a player consistently performing at the top level, this missed opportunity to compete for global silverware—and a share of the billion-dollar prize—is significant.
Neymar (Santos)
Neymar, who returned to boyhood club Santos in early 2025 after an injury-hit spell in Saudi Arabia, remains one of the sport’s most marketable figures. At 33, he’s working toward peak fitness ahead of the next World Cup. While no longer at his physical peak, his absence is not just a sporting loss—it’s a commercial one. With FIFA reportedly facing sluggish ticket sales, Neymar’s star power would have added much-needed appeal to the event.
What you should know
FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup promises unprecedented prize money but lacks several global icons due to the qualification structure and individual choices. Mohamed Salah, Lamine Yamal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bukayo Saka, and Neymar are among the high-profile names who won’t be playing, reducing the star power but not the stakes.
