The best goalkeeper in the world is not at the World Cup. The best winger in Europe is watching from home. You could build a world-class XI from the stars who got left behind. Welcome back to FUT IN REVIEW | World Cup Daily. In Episode 6, host GPM is joined by John and Graeme (Homer) to build the ultimate lineup of superstars who will be watching the World Cup from the couch just like us.
Whether it's due to brutal ACL injuries, hamstring tears, or national team heartbreak, the expanded 48-team tournament still managed to leave some of the biggest names in world football behind.
We break down the biggest absences and drop some massive hot takes:
The Italian Goalkeeping Tragedy: Gianluigi Donnarumma is entering his peak years but has officially never played a single minute of World Cup football.
The Defensive Rocks: Why missing Alessandro Bastoni, Jeremie Frimpong, and Edmond Tapsoba alters the entire tournament’s dynamic.
The "Cavaradona" Loss: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia just won back-to-back Champions League titles with PSG, but his nation couldn't carry him to the world stage.
The Xavi Simons Debate: John drops a massive unpopular opinion on why the Dutch missing Tottenham's Javi Simons due to a torn ACL might actually be a blessing in disguise for the Netherlands!
Tuchel’s England Abundance: No Cole Palmer? No Phil Foden? No Morgan Gibbs-White? We debate whether Thomas Tuchel got his midfield harmony right.
The Forward Heartbreak: From Robert Lewandowski’s qualification failure to Victor Osimhen’s play-off disaster, and the brutal pre-tournament injuries to Hugo Ekitike and Brazil’s wonderkid Estêvão.
Listen Instantly & Join the Sweeps: Want every daily episode in your ears the exact second we finish recording? Join our Patreon to unlock early access, get your country for the official World Cup Sweepstakes, and enter the Predictor League! Check us out at patreon.com/footinreview.
Ring John’s 5-Star Bell: Every time you leave a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, John rings a literal bell in his office. Take 10 seconds to support the daily grind!
Share the aux cord: Send this episode to that one mate who is still crying about Italy missing out on another tournament.
Instagram: @footreview
TikTok: @footinreviewpodcast
Website: futinreview.com
Tomorrow on Episode 7: We dive into the Debut Nations—breaking down the complete underdogs and newcomers making their historic first appearances at the World Cup. (Will Curacao actually progress?!)
00:00 - The Left-Behind World XI: Welcome to Episode 6
00:43 - Patreon Sweeps, Predictor Leagues & Welcoming John and Homer
01:38 - Gianluigi Donnarumma: The 27-Year-Old Legend Who Has Never Played a World Cup
03:51 - Missing Keepers: David De Gea’s Revival & Germany’s Noah Atubolu
05:03 - John’s Goalkeeper Union Insight: The Agility of Donnarumma vs. Courtois
06:33 - Defensive Absences: Alessandro Bastoni & The Netherlands' Right-Back Abundance
08:04 - Edmond Tapsoba, Willi Orbán & Why Castello Lukeba Missed the France Squad
10:18 - The Missing Genius: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia & The "George Best Syndrome"
12:47 - Unpopular Take: Why Javi Simons’ Brutal Injury is a Blessing in Disguise for the Dutch
16:09 - Tuchel's England Squad Selection: Leaving Out Palmer, Foden, and Gibbs-White
17:47 - Striker Heartbreak: Robert Lewandowski, Victor Osimhen & The Nigeria Collapse
19:14 - Brazil’s Injury Crisis: No Estêvão, No Rodrygo... Enter 34-Year-Old Neymar
21:53 - Magic Wand: Which Missing Attacker Would Transform Scotland and the Netherlands?
24:15 - The Weak Dutch Frontline & Relying on Crysencio Summerville
26:13 - Who Can Challenge England? Putting Kvaratskhelia in Tuchel’s System
28:11 - Outro: Ringing the 5-Star Review Bell & Debut Nations Coming Tomorrow!
🌟 JOIN THE COMMUNITY & SUPPORT THE SHOW📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS⏱️ CHAPTERS