11 stars absent from World Snooker Championship including ex-winners | Other | Sport
The 2026 World Snooker Championship is officially underway, delivering over a fortnight of gripping action. However, snooker fans will be disappointed to discover that several of their most beloved players will be absent from the iconic Crucible Theatre.
This is due to this year’s qualifying rounds in Sheffield, which wrapped up on Wednesday and proved particularly ruthless. They witnessed numerous high-profile casualties, including three former world champions who were eliminated before the televised stages began.
This year’s Judgement Day proved exceptionally merciless compared to previous editions for some of the sport’s most prominent figures, potentially carrying career-ending implications for certain individuals. Express Sport names 11 such stars who will not be competing at the Crucible in the coming weeks.
The legendary Jimmy White came heartbreakingly close to victory against Gao Yang in the first round, having established a 5-1 lead and forced a deciding frame. Regrettably for the Whirlwind, Gao prevailed 10-9 to shatter the six-time finalist’s ambitions.
Ken Doherty, who won the world championship in 1997, was also beaten by amateur Patrick Whelan in the opening round. The defeat resulted in his relegation from the professional tour.
Robert Milkins suffered the same fate as Doherty a round later, going down 10-3 to giant-killer Whelan. Milkins’ departure descended into a meltdown as he began thrashing balls around the table in sheer frustration, having also been relegated from the tour.
Scotsman Stephen Maguire was left heartbroken following his 10-5 third-round defeat to Liam Highfield. His emotions spilt over as he thumped the table cushion in frustration, a moment that went viral as his Crucible aspirations were crushed at an early stage.
Matthew Selt endured a miserable qualifying campaign, having been defeated 10-3 in the third round by Jamie Jones. Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, the reigning World Open champion, found himself on the wrong end of a shock result against 20-year-old Liam Pullen.
Another significant shock came with Jack Lisowski’s exit, as he was beaten 10-5 by China’s He Guoqiang on Judgement Day. Heavy favourite Lisowski found himself trailing 5-0 early on and never recovered, meaning he will be absent from the televised stages for a second straight year.
In a clash between seasoned Crucible campaigners, 2015 champion Stuart Bingham was edged out 10-7 by Matthew Stevens in a final-round encounter that stretched deep into the night.
Anthony McGill also fell at the fourth-round hurdle, losing 10-7 to Ali Carter. Having progressed to the final round by defeating Ricky Walden, Thai sensation and world No. 45 Noppon Saengkham was widely considered the favourite to secure qualification. However, he became the latest casualty of giant-killer Liam Pullen, falling to a hard-fought 10-8 defeat.
