Lifelong dreams will become reality for the 1,248 players called up to represent their nations at this summer's supersized World Cup.
But, as is always the case with the quadrennial showpiece, the occasion is also marked by severe disappointment for those who, for one reason or another, have to watch the sport's grandest spectacle from home.
With 26-man squad lists for all 48 competing teams confirmed by FIFA on Tuesday, we now know exactly who will, and won't, be at the World Cup in North America.
With that in mind, we're building a superstar squad made up of players who'll miss the tournament either due to injury, failure to qualify, or omission from their respective teams, and we're posing a simple question: could this roster actually win the 2026 World Cup?
Starting XI
(Source: FotMob)
Fresh off being crowned the Champions League's best player following Paris Saint-Germain's latest triumph, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia headlines our star-studded lineup. The Georgian is simultaneously one of the most dazzling wingers in the world and one of the most relentless. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary), Federico Dimarco, and Gianluigi Donnarumma (both Italy) join the PSG star among the contingent who failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Eder Militao leads our list of players ruled out due to injury after the Brazilian center-back underwent surgery to repair a torn hamstring.
And straight-up snubs - some more shocking than others - make up the remainder of our XI.
England boss Thomas Tuchel cut Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Harry Maguire, with Palmer's omission causing much consternation among supporters of the Three Lions who are concerned about the team's creativity in the final third. Eduardo Camavinga's uneven season with Real Madrid cost him a place in France's loaded midfield, while Joao Pedro was seemingly the unfortunate attacker who had to make way for Neymar's inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad.
Bench
Goalkeepers: Luis Angel Malagon (Mexico - injured)
Defenders: Dean Huijsen (Spain - snubbed), Alessandro Bastoni (Italy - DNQ), Jeremie Frimpong (Netherlands - snubbed)
Midfielders: Sandro Tonali (Italy - DNQ), Phil Foden (England - snubbed), Xavi Simons (Netherlands - injured), Fermin Lopez (Spain - injured), Franco Mastantuono (Argentina - snubbed)
Forwards: Robert Lewandowski (Poland - DNQ), Rodrygo (Brazil - injured), Hugo Ekitike (France - injured), Serge Gnabry (Germany - injured), Estevao (Brazil - injured), Morgan Gibbs-White (England - snubbed)
There are even snubs among our snubs!
Portugal didn't call up players like Joao Palhinha and Antonio Silva; Serhou Guirassy, Ademola Lookman, Bryan Mbeumo, and Nicolo Barella didn't qualify for the tournament; Jerdy Schouten, Johnny Cardoso, and Kaoru Mitoma join those who'll also miss out through injury.
The World Cup will feature the best and brightest that football has to offer, but spare a thought for those who, like us, will be watching from their couch.
Who do you think was the biggest snub of all for this summer's World Cup? Let us know in the comments below!
