Fermin Lopez the second‑most valuable World Cup absentee

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making him the second‑most valuable player absent from the tournament after PSG forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, valued at €140 million, while Lopez is valued at €100 million due to a metatarsal fracture suffered in Barcelona's final La Liga match.

Luis de la Fuente's Spanish squad for the 2026 World Cup is heavily populated by Barcelona players. Joan Garcia, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi and Eric Garcia all received call‑ups, while Fermin Lopez was omitted.

Lopez's exclusion was not a tactical decision but the result of a metatarsal fracture sustained in Barcelona's final La Liga match. The injury ruled him out of the tournament that will be staged in the United States.

With a market valuation of €100 million, Lopez becomes the second‑most valuable player absent from the World Cup. Only PSG forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, valued at €140 million, ranks higher, and his absence stems from Georgia's failure to qualify.

Among players sharing a similar valuation, Cole Palmer missed selection for England's squad. Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai also does not travel because his nation did not qualify.

Last season Lopez recorded 13 goals and 17 assists in 48 appearances for Barcelona, placing him among the 15 highest‑valued footballers worldwide. He is considered a non‑negotiable starter for Spain under coach Hansi Flick in major fixtures. Dani Olmo remains his primary competition for the same position. The accompanying images are credited to photographer David Ramos (Getty Images) and Alex Caparros (Getty Images).