The 2026 World Snooker Championship begins this Saturday at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, but several high-profile players will be absent after a brutal qualifying campaign. Among the 11 casualties are three former world champions, with some exits potentially career-ending.
Legendary six-time finalist Jimmy White came agonisingly close to qualifying, leading Gao Yang 5-1 before losing 10-9 in the first round. Ken Doherty, the 1997 champion, was defeated 10-9 by amateur Patrick Whelan in his opening match, a result that relegated him from the professional tour.
Robert Milkins also lost to Whelan, 10-3 in the second round, and was relegated from the tour. His exit ended in a meltdown as he smashed balls around the table. Stephen Maguire punched the table cushion in frustration after his 10-5 third-round loss to Liam Highfield.
Luca Brecel, the 2023 champion, was the most high-profile casualty of the fourth round, losing 10-5 to Jak Jones. Jack Lisowski fell 10-5 to He Guoqiang, missing the televised stages for a second consecutive year. Stuart Bingham, the 2015 champion, was beaten 10-7 by Matthew Stevens.
Other notable absentees include Matthew Selt, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Anthony McGill, and Noppon Saengkham, who lost 10-8 to giant-killer Liam Pullen. The qualifying rounds concluded on Wednesday, setting the stage for the main event without these stars.
