Big Names, Big Misses: Stars Sitting Out the 2025 Club World Cup
As FIFA gets set to launch its revamped Club World Cup in the U.S. this June, there’s plenty of buzz—and just a little disappointment.
With a massive $1 billion prize pool on the line and 32 teams preparing to battle it out, fans were hoping for a dream lineup featuring football’s biggest names. But the reality is, some of the sport’s brightest stars won’t be there, and their absence leaves a noticeable gap.
Here are five top players you won’t be seeing in action:
1. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool, Egypt
Despite a standout season with 29 goals and 18 assists, Salah won’t be making the trip to the States. Liverpool, surprisingly, didn’t meet the tournament’s strict qualification rules, which has left their Egyptian forward—and his fans—out of the picture.
While Salah enjoys some well-earned downtime (yes, he’s posted those beach pics), there’s no denying that his absence dims the star power of the event. And he’s not alone—Virgil van Dijk and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz (a rumored Liverpool target) will also be watching from home.
2. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona, Spain
At just 17, Lamine Yamal has already turned heads across Europe. The Barcelona winger has been hailed as one of football’s rising icons, earning Ballon d’Or whispers after a spectacular season.
This could’ve been a golden opportunity to see the young prodigy square off against Lionel Messi in a dream matchup. But with Barcelona missing the qualification cut, fans will have to wait for another chapter. Other big names from the squad—Pedri, Raphinha, and Lewandowski—also miss out.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo – Al Nassr, Portugal
A Messi-Ronaldo face-off in America would’ve been a blockbuster. But that fantasy match-up won’t happen—not this time.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains with Al Nassr, and despite murmurs that FIFA might try to sneak him into the lineup through the back door, the Portuguese legend has decided to sit this one out. In his own words, “you can’t catch every ball.”
Even at 40, his absence still matters—on the field and in ticket sales.
4. Bukayo Saka – Arsenal, England
Arsenal fans were hoping for a long-awaited return to global relevance—and they came close. The Gunners impressed this season, knocking out Real Madrid en route to the Champions League semis, but just missed the Club World Cup ticket.
That leaves Bukayo Saka, one of their brightest stars, out of the mix. With only one major trophy under his belt so far, this tournament could have added a prestigious title to his cabinet. For Arsenal, it’s a missed opportunity—both in silverware and revenue.
5. Neymar – Santos, Brazil
Neymar’s comeback at Santos was supposed to be a warm-up for bigger stages. But injuries, combined with Santos’ failure to qualify, mean the Brazilian star won’t be part of the show.
Though no longer in his prime, Neymar’s name still sells jerseys and fills stadiums. His absence is a marketing blow, and a reminder of how much he still means to the global game—even from the sidelines.
Final Whistle
As kickoff nears, the new-look Club World Cup still promises drama, skill, and moments to remember. But let’s be honest—without these five stars lighting up the pitch, some fans may be left wondering what could have been.
