Poland captain Robert Lewandowski has hinted at his international retirement following the country's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, marking the potential end for the national team's all-time leading goalscorer.

Lewandowski hints at Poland exit after playoff heartbreak

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest edition ever with 48 teams, three host nations, and a global stage built for drama. Yet, for all the excitement, the tournament will be missing some of football’s traditional heavyweights. Five giants, five nations with pedigree, history and global fan bases, have failed to qualify.

Top five giants who will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup as a play-off defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Hercegovina on Tuesday meant the Azzurri will not go to this year's tournament in North America, while Turkey, the Czech Republic and Sweden all secured their places at the finals.

Italy again miss out on World Cup as Bosnia, Turkey, Czechs and Sweden qualify

Viktor Gyokeres sent Sweden to the 2026 World Cup as he netted a dramatic late winner to hand his country a 3-2 win over Poland in their European play-off final on Tuesday.

Gyokeres sends Sweden to World Cup with dramatic winner against Poland

Poland enter Tuesday’s World Cup playoff final against Sweden seeking to end a winless run on Swedish soil that stretches back nearly a century.

Poland seek to end 96-year drought in Sweden in playoff final 

The Netherlands sealed their 2026 World Cup berth on Monday with a dominant 4-0 victory against Lithuania in Amsterdam.

Netherlands qualify for World Cup, Poland in play-offs

Scotland ground out a 2-1 home win over Belarus on Sunday to stay in contention for automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup, while the Netherlands closed in on securing their berth at the tournament with a win over Finland.

Scotland stay in contention for 2026 World Cup, Dutch move closer

Mikel Merino scored a hat-trick as a majestic Spain thumped Turkey 6-0 away in World Cup qualifying on Sunday, while a brilliant Florian Wirtz free-kick helped Germany beat Northern Ireland 3-1 to get their bid up and running.

Super Spain hit six as Germany get first World Cup qualifying win

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Highlights from the match Between Poland and Scotland which took place at PGE Narodowy


Poland v Scotland | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

Highlights from the match between Portugal and Poland which took place at Dragao, Oporto.

Portugal v Poland | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

Highlights from the match between Poland and Croatia which took place at PGE Narodowy

Poland v Croatia | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

Highlights from the match between Poland and Portugal which took place at PGE Narodowy

Poland v Portugal | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

Highlights from the match between Croatia and Poland which took place in Opus Arena, Osijek. 

Croatia v Poland | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

Highlights from the match between Scotland and Poland which took place at Hampden Park

Scotland v Poland | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

The scoresheet may not reflect it but the key to the Netherlands' progress to the Euro 2024 semifinals was target man Wout Weghorst. Here is a compilation of his best moments so far.

The best of Wout Weghorst | UEFA EURO 2024

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