The top players that could miss Euro 2024

Nine teams have already qualified for Euro 2024, including the host Germany, but some big-name nations are struggling in the qualifiers so far.

The European championship is one of the most exciting international competitions worldwide, and fans are always eager for the next edition to start.

Italy defeated England in the final of the last Euros at Wembley, which was yet more heartbreak for the English fans.

The Italians shocked everyone with their win, considering that they had not qualified for the previous World Cup in 2018.

They also failed to make the 2022 edition of the global showpiece in Qatar and are one of the high-profile names that could fail to qualify for the Euros in Germany next year.

In this article, we look at players who will easily make fans buy Euro 2024 tickets, but will likely miss the event because their country is expected to or has already failed to qualify.

Erling Haaland, Norway

Haaland is arguably the most lethal striker in the world after storming through the Premier League in his first season and breaking the goal record in that competition for a single campaign.

The Norwegian scored 36 goals in 35 league matches for Manchester City and a further three in four FA Cup games, plus 12 in 11 Champions League games as Man City won the treble.

Haaland was born to score goals and has 27 goals in 28 games for the Norway national team, but the striker will miss out on Euro 2024.

Norway were put in the same group as Scotland and Spain, and their defeat to the latter meant the other two nations qualified from their group.

Martin Odegaard, Norway

Just like Haaland, Arsenal captain Odegaard will not be at the Euros as Norway once again fails to qualify for a major tournament.

Odegaard scored 15 goals and provided seven assists for Arsenal in the Premier League last season and has played in seven Norway Euro qualifiers, scoring once and providing a single assist.

The midfielder’s input has not been enough, as Scotland and Spain will make the finals in their group.

Virgil van Dijk, Netherlands

The Netherlands is another high-profile country that could miss out on the Euros, meaning the likes of Virgil van Dijk could be at home.

They are in the same group as France, who have qualified after the last round of matches, but the Netherlands are stuck on the same point with Greece.

Thanks to their 1-0 win against the Greeks in their last match, both countries now have 12 points each, making it pertinent that the Netherlands win their remaining games and hope the Greeks fail to better their result.

However, at this stage, Holland is not guaranteed to qualify for the competition and VVD could miss the finals.

Cody Gakpo, Netherlands

Just like his Liverpool teammate, Gakpo is at risk of missing Euro 2024 as the Netherlands struggles to qualify for the competition.

He has been one of the most effective attackers in Europe since last year and has consistently done well for club and country.

Gakpo has two goals from three Euro 2024 qualifying matches for his country and has scored six goals in all competitions for Liverpool this season.

He is a player who is guaranteed a place in the Netherlands squad if they qualify for the competition and will do his best to help them reach Germany 2024.

Frenkie de Jong, Netherlands

De Jong is one of the world’s best midfielders and a member of the star-studded Netherlands team that has failed to secure qualification for the Euros yet.

Dutch football has had some poor times in recent years, but failing to qualify for the Euros ahead of Greece will be a new low.

They now have just a few chances to make things right and De Jong knows he has to be in Germany 2024; otherwise, he will lose some respect.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy

Italy won Euro 2020 in front of a packed Wembley Stadium after a terrific performance from Gigi Donnarumma in goal for the Azzurri side.

The PSG goalie has remained one of the best men in his position in the world, but Italy is on the verge of crashing out of the Euro qualifiers.

England has qualified from their group, and they are contending with Ukraine for the other spot.

The Italians failed to qualify for the last World Cup despite being European champions and were also not at the 2018 World Cup.

Luciano Spalletti has just been made their manager, but if he fails to help them qualify to defend the title, it will be embarrassing.

Federico Chiesa, Italy

Chiesa was the hero of the Italian national team at Euro 2020, as his dazzling performances in different games helped the Italians to reach the final and win the competition.

He suffered a serious injury that kept him out of action for ten months last year and is just getting back to his best form.

But the Juventus man has not played for Italy in the last two international windows because of injury, so he has not worked with Spalletti.

Regardless, it would be an embarrassing scenario for Ukraine to qualify for Euro 2024 ahead of the Italians and that is likely if the Azzurri do not wake up.

Luka Modric, Croatia

As he struggles to play for Real Madrid, Modric has been enjoying his football this season when he is with the Croatian national team.

Fans are expecting the next Euros to be his last international competition, but Croatia is set to miss out on the competition.

After impressive performances at the last two World Cups, they are on the same point with Wales in their qualifying group ahead of the final round of matches.

The Welshmen are ahead of them on the standings now after defeating Croatia at home in their last game.

Both teams will fight it out until the end of the qualifiers, as Turkiye has already qualified from their group.

Robert Lewandowski, Poland

Lewandowski would hardly be at the 2026 World Cup with the Poland national team, which is why the Barcelona striker will want to be at Euro 2024.

However, he is set to miss the competition as Poland struggles to qualify ahead of Albania and the Czech Republic.

The Albanians currently lead the group with 13 points, while the Czechs have 11 points, with Poland having 10 points.

The qualifying spots are still up for grabs, but Poland could miss out on the Euros and Lewandowski will be at home.

Alexander Isak, Sweden

Isak has been in superb form for Newcastle United since joining the Premier League club and consistently scores for the Magpies.

The Swede has six goals in seven league games this term, but has failed to transfer that form to the international stage, where he was expected to help Sweden to qualify for Euro 2024.

The Swedes were in the same group as Austria and Belgium, who have both qualified for the competition ahead of them.

Sweden did poorly in the qualifiers and Isak will now focus on helping them to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Euro 2024 will be a competition that will bring together a lot of talented players, but several of them will also miss the tournament.

It is sad that Haaland will not be in it, but it would be just as bad if the likes of Van Dijk and Lewandowski do not appear at the finals.

However, their absence will not stop fans from having fun in Germany, and we trust UEFA to deliver a top competition that we will all be proud of.