A Bola’s 23 Worst World Cup Disappointments

Portuguese newspaper A Bola has compiled a list of 23 players deemed disappointing at the recent FIFA World Cup. The selections span multiple continents and include both starters and substitutes, highlighting a wide range of under‑performing performances.

The list has drawn attention for its breadth, featuring high‑profile names alongside lesser‑known figures. It underscores how tournament expectations often clash with on‑field reality, offering a stark look at what went wrong for various national teams.

Starters Named as Disappointments

Fernando Muslera (Uruguay) and Joshua Kimmich (Germany) head the 11 starters highlighted for poor showings. Josko Gvardiol (Croatia) and Gabriel Magalhães (Brazil) follow, with the Brazilian center‑back noted for five games where he was linked to Brazil’s lowest points, losing key duels to Saibari and Haaland.

Gabriel Magalhães’ performances were described as decisive factors in Brazil’s struggles, particularly against Morocco and Norway. The striker’s limited impact and the defensive frailties he exhibited are central to the criticism.

Neymar (Brazil) is singled out for a two‑game cameo. He netted a single goal but also became involved in a heated argument before Brazil’s round‑of‑16 exit. The iconic playmaker opened the tournament injured and only featured 14 minutes before reappearing in the closing stages.

A second two‑game performer, expected to lead alongside Vinícius, struggled against Morocco and Haiti. Poor results and an injury in the second match forced him to miss the remainder of the tournament.

Other notable starters include Piero Hincapié (Ecuador), Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Jamal Musiala (Germany), Bruno Fernandes (Portugal), Leroy Sané (Germany), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), and Son Heung‑min (South Korea). Ronaldo’s inclusion reflects the argument that “the numbers mask a disappointing campaign” for the veteran.

Brazilian Selections on the List

Brazil contributed three players to the disappointment roster: Gabriel Magalhães, Neymar, and Raphinha. All three faced criticism, with Magalhães linked to defensive lapses and Neymar’s brief appearance marred by controversy.

Raphinha’s inclusion points to a larger issue for Brazil, where expectation did not match the reality of performance across the squad. The tournament highlighted areas for improvement in the Seleção’s depth and effectiveness.

Substitute Selections

• Manuel Neuer (Germany)
• Declan Rice (England)
• Scott McTominay (Scotland)
• Orkun Kokçu (Turkey)
• Bernardo Silva (Portugal)
• Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)
• Kenan Yildiz (Turkey)
• Neymar (Brazil)
• Arda Guler (Turkey)
• Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden)
• Jeremy Doku (Belgium)
• Raphinha (Brazil)

The substitutes list repeats several high‑profile names, underscoring how disappointment extended beyond the initial starting XI. Both Neymar and Raphinha appear again, reinforcing the perception that Brazil’s attacking options failed to deliver under pressure.

A Bola’s list serves as a reference point for fans and analysts evaluating future selections. By cataloguing under‑performances, it offers a clear benchmark for improvement ahead of upcoming tournaments.