Slovenians Once Outshone Messi, Now They Await the Arabs

Slovenia missed out on a chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, a fate not shared by their group rivals Switzerland, Kosovo, and Sweden, who at least advanced to additional qualification rounds. This marks a break in a tradition for Slovenian football fans, who have historically shown a strong affinity for major tournaments, traveling thousands of kilometers to support their team in past World Cups held in distant locations.

The article laments Slovenia's absence from the global stage, suggesting that even hypothetical scenarios, like a venue in Hawaii for the 2026 tournament, might have offered different possibilities. It recalls Slovenia's past participation in World Cups over the last fifty years, noting how their players have sometimes shared the spotlight with football's biggest stars.

A specific instance highlighted is from the 1974 World Cup, where Brane Oblak, a key player for the Yugoslavian team, publicly overshadowed Dragan Džajić, then a prominent European football figure. Oblak scored against Zaire (now the DR Congo) during a free-kick situation, a moment that underscored his significant contribution to the team.