The World Cup 2026 playoffs have delivered their final verdict, and while many nations celebrate qualification, others face bitter disappointment. Among the biggest shocks is Italy’s elimination against Bosnia and Herzegovina (1-1, 4-1 on penalties), marking a third consecutive absence from the tournament.

“It’s a devastating blow,” many observers noted, as captain Gianluigi Donnarumma will miss yet another World Cup at 27. The list of absent goalkeepers also includes Jan Oblak, André Onana, and Giorgi Mamardashvili, all denied a place on football’s biggest stage.

Federico Dimarco (Italy)

Several global stars will also be watching from home. Robert Lewandowski headlines the list after Poland’s elimination against Sweden. “Football can be cruel… it hurts because we were so close,” he admitted after the match. Alongside him, names like Victor Osimhen, Dusan Vlahovic, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Serhou Guirassy will miss out, as will creative forces such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Dominik Szoboszlai. Even promising talents like Rasmus Højlund and Benjamin Sesko failed to secure qualification, highlighting the fierce competition across continents.

Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

Injuries have also played their part in shaping this list of absentees. Rodrygo is expected to miss out despite being in contention, while Neymar Jr. still hopes for a late call-up after a long absence from the national team. Jack Grealish, sidelined with a stress fracture, also faces a race against time. As the tournament approaches, the absence of these major names serves as a reminder of how unforgiving international football can be, even for the game’s biggest stars.

Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)

Justice J.O Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 has granted the final forfeiture of N3,444,000.,000 ( Three Billion, Four hundred and Forty Four Million Naira) and three properties linked to Salihu Nuhu Jamari while serving as the Managing Director of, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC’s Gas and Power Investment Company Limited, to the federal government.

The properties include ; an uncompleted six bedroom semi-detached duplex, with boys’ quarters at Plot 3168, Asokoro District, Abuja, a two bedroom flat, block 2, apartment AI, block, EFG, Orsborne II, Ikoyi, Lagos and a restaurant located at plot 102 cadastral zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.

The judge gave the order, following a motion on notice filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on March 17, 2026 through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.

The court had on February 25, 2026, granted an interim forfeiture order, directing that the publication of the same be made in a national newspaper for any interested party to show cause why the said exhibits should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.

The said money ( Three Billion, Four hundred and Forty Four Million Naira) forms part of a case of conspiracy, kickbacks, bribery and money laundering, involving the staff and contractors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) wherein the name of one Salihu Nuhu Jamari featured prominently through a petition dated April 28, 2025.

Upon receipt of the petition, several investigative activities were carried out where it was discovered that Jamari, while serving as Managing Director of NGPIC used his influence through his private companies namely: Cumulus Energy Limited and Pius and Phillips Petroleum Limited wherein he is a director and signatory to the accounts, received kickbacks from three contractors that were awarded three major projects from NNPCL.

Justice Abdulmalik, after considering the application, held that it had merit and ordered the final forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government of Nigeria

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the bid of the leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Wuse Ward of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in all activities of the party following her alleged suspension from the party.

Instead, the judge ordered the ward leaders said to be loyal to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to put the senator on notice to appear in court to join issues with them on their grievances.

Justice Lifu in a ruling on Thursday held that discretion in such a request for prohibition from party activities and in political matters must be exercised judicially and judiciously.

The judge said justice would be met in the case of the plaintiffs only when the side of the defendant is heard on its merit, along with that of the plaintiffs.

Consequently, the judge ordered that Senator Ireti Kingibe should be served with all court processes by the plaintiffs to enable her become aware of the suit and to prepare her defense.

The judge fixed April 20, 2026, for the plaintiffs and the serving senator to appear before him for hearing of all applications in the matter.

Those who sued the senator in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CV/539/2026 are Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, on behalf of themselves and ward members as plaintiffs. The senator is the sole defendant.

In their ex-parte application, Kingibe representing the FCT in the Senate was said to have been suspended on March 10, 2026 by her Wuse Ward executives following allegations of anti-party activities and disregard of your cnstitution of the ADC.

In the ex- parte application filed on their behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Kolawole Olowookere, the aggrieved ADC members in Wuse Ward applied for an order of interim injunction restraining Kingibe from parading herself as a member of party, pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

They also asked the judge to restrain the senator from performing any function, attending meetings or performing activities reserved for ADC members or representing the party in any activities.

Besides, the Ward Executive Committee had asked that she be restrained from further interfering with the administration of the ward, ward register and other activities.

The suit was predicated on five grounds among which are that Mrs Kingibe was placed on suspension due to anti-party activities, gross misconduct and confiscation of the ward statutory records.

They argued that the suspension followed due process as enshrined in the ADC constitution and ratified by the two thirds majority of the EXCO members.

They averred that despite the communication of the suspension to Kingibe, she has continued to hold parallel meetings, issue press statements as an ADC member, and using her security details to intimidate the executive committee.

“Her actions constitute flagrant disregard to the internal mechanism of the party,” the plaintiffs stated.

Meanwhile, a lawyer, Abubakar Marshall who claimed to be representing the senator, announced that he had filed a preliminary objection against the suit. He added that it was served on M. S. Garba, who stood for the plaintiffs at Thursday’s proceedings.