The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off on June 11, with 48 teams competing across 104 matches in 16 host cities. Italy, a four-time World Cup champion, will miss the tournament for the third consecutive time, having failed to qualify for the 2018, 2022, and 2026 editions. Despite Italy's absence, Serie A will still be well-represented, with at least 25-30 players from the league competing for their respective national teams.
Serie A Players at the World Cup
Two Serie A players, Lautaro Martínez and Nico Paz, will represent defending champions Argentina. Martínez, the Inter Milan captain, was the Serie A top scorer in 2025-26 with 17 goals, while Paz, a 21-year-old playmaker from Como, will make his World Cup debut. Other notable Serie A players competing at the World Cup include Marcus Thuram, Denzel Dumfries, and Stefan de Vrij from Inter Milan, as well as Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and Rafael Leão from Milan.
Italy's Absence
Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup is a significant blow to the country's football fans. The Azzurri were eliminated through the European qualifying pathway, falling short of the automatic top-tier qualification spots and missing the additional UEFA playoff route. This marks the third consecutive World Cup that Italy will miss, following non-qualifications for the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Betting Markets
The World Cup will feature seven core betting markets, including outright winner, group winner, top scorer, and in-play markets. Crypto-native sportsbooks, such as Toshi.bet, will provide on-chain settlement in 1-2 minutes via USDT-TRC20 for World Cup 2026 betting, with features like cash out, take-bet-back-in-play, and Early Payout.
The absence of Italy from the World Cup is a significant blow to the country's football fans, but the presence of Serie A players competing for other nations will still provide plenty of excitement and storylines to follow. Lautaro Martínez is a strong contender for the Golden Boot, and his performances will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike. The World Cup will also provide a platform for young players like Nico Paz to showcase their skills on the biggest stage.
The presence of Serie A players at the World Cup will have significant implications for the league's reputation and credibility. A strong performance by these players will help to boost the league's profile and attract new fans, while a poor showing could have negative consequences. The World Cup will also provide a platform for players to showcase their skills and potentially attract the attention of bigger clubs and leagues.
Frequently Asked Questions
At least 25-30 Serie A players will compete at the World Cup, including Lautaro Martínez, Nico Paz, Marcus Thuram, and Christian Pulisic.
Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup through the European qualifying pathway, falling short of the automatic top-tier qualification spots and missing the additional UEFA playoff route.
The seven core World Cup betting markets are: outright winner, group winner, top scorer, 1X2 match betting, Over/Under goals, both teams to score, and in-play markets.