The World Cup is an international showcase of the best footballers on the planet with Qatar 2022 tipped as a unique challenge for all involved.
The spectacle of a winter tournament has generated huge attention, with the demands it places on European domestic seasons causing controversy, after FIFA stuck to their guns of bringing the competition to the Middle East.
However, despite the focus on the nations and stars on display in Qatar, there will be some huge names missing out, after failing to secure a place with their national sides.
Eric Cantona, George Weah, Ryan Giggs, George Best and Alfredo Di Stefano are amongst the names to have infamously never played in a World Cup, and 2022 will add more names to an inglorious list.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Haaland’s goal scoring exploits have made him one of most sought-after players in Europe, with a scramble for his signature set to burst into life this summer. However, despite scoring five goals in qualifying, Norway were edged out in UEFA Group G, as Turkey claimed second place behind the Netherlands.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Egypt was sunk by Senegal on penalties in the AFCON 2022 final, and it happened again just a month later as the two matched up in the CAF World Cup qualifying final round, with a home & away two-legged matchup to decide a spot in the World Cup. After a pair of 1-0 results for each home side that left the two nations level on aggregate, it went to another penalty shootout. Liverpool star Salah missed a penalty in the shootout, which was blighted by Senegal fans pummeling the Egypt players with laser pointers.
Zlatan Ibrahimovich (Sweden)
The legendary striker has considered international retirement for a while, but made himself available for selection as Sweden pushed through the UEFA qualification playoffs looking for a spot. The Blagult fell to Poland in the playoff Path B final 2-0, leaving Zlatan at home for the finals in Qatar. Ibrahimovic didn’t start the final against Poland, only brought on for the final 10 minutes with the team already down two goals.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)
Aubameyang hit the headlines in 2022 after joining Barcelona on a free transfer following his high-profile exit from Arsenal. However, despite netting two crucial goals in qualifying, Gabon were squeezed out by Mo Salah’s Egypt in the race for a CAF play-off spot.
Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast)
AC Milan midfielder Kessie looks set for a crucial few months at the San Siro, as his contract with Stefano Pioli’s side expires at the end of the season. However, regardless of his next club move, he will not be at the World Cup after Ivory Coast suffered a final group game defeat to Cameroon, with the Indomitable Lions progressing in their place.
Martin Odegaard (Norway)
Odegaard has established himself as a key player in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side after making a permanent switch to North London at the start of 2021/22. But despite assuming the role of Norway captain in 2021, he was unable to inspire Ståle Solbakken’s side, and the former Real Madrid star will be watching the World Cup at home, alongside Haaland.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
Nigeria fell to Ghana in the final round of African World Cup qualifying thanks to away goals, meaning the Super Eagles miss out on a spot at the World Cup for the first time in the last four events and just the second time in the last eight. 23-year-old striker Victor Osimhen, who plays for Napoli, did not score in either the home or away leg, unable to push his team to the finals in Qatar.
Edin Dzeko (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Veteran striker Dzeko is enjoying a seemingly never-ending Indian summer in Serie A as his aims to fill the Romleu Lukaku void at Inter Milan this season. Bosnia’s World Cup qualification chances were hampered by a tough group stage draw alongside France and Ukraine, and their skipper, record goal scorer and top appearance maker, could call time on his international career before Euro 2024.
Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast)
Crystal Palace winger Zaha is another Ivorian who will not be at the World Cup in 2022, as Patrice Beaumelle’s side miss out on another tournament, after qualifying for three successive World Cups between 2006 and 2014.
Miguel Almiron (Paraguay)
Newcastle United winger Almiron misses out on World Cup duty in 2022 with Paraguay’s qualification fate already decided in CONEMBOL. Despite the South American section still having two qualifiers to play in 2022, Almiron and Paraguay will only be battling for pride against Ecuador and Peru next month.
Naby Keita (Guinea)
With Salah and Sadio Mane set for a Liverpool themed World Cup play off in March, in a replay of the AFCON final, fellow Reds star Keita has already seen his World Cup dream ended with Guinea failing to win a game in the second round of qualifiers.
Josef Martinez (Venezuela)
Despite being a regular goal scorer in the MLS, Almiron’s former Atalanta United teammate Martinez was unable to inspire Venezuela, with just one goal in CONEMBOL qualifying, as José Pékerman’s side currently sit bottom of the standings.
Sebastien Haller (Ivory Coast)
Haller joins Zaha and Kessie in missing out for Ivory Coast in 2022, despite his two goals in their 2-1 win over Cameroon in September, but his impressive form with Ajax could mean a strong run in the Champions League in 2022.
David Alaba (Austria)
Real Madrid’s Alaba won’t be going to the World Cup after Austria suffered a 2-1 defeat to a Gareth Bale-inspired Wales in the playoffs.
Patrick Schick (Czech Republic)
Schick caught the eye for Czech Republic at Euro 2020, but the Bayer Leverkusen forward will have to wait for his next chance to shine at a major tournament as his nation were beaten 1-0 by Sweden in extra-time.
Marco Verratti (Italy)
Despite being one of the world’s most prominent midfielders, Verratti has only participated at one World Cup – the 2014 edition. Italy missed out in 2018 and they won’t be in Qatar either following their shock defeat to North Macedonia.
Cengiz Under (Turkey)
Under is a talented player who has impressed this season while on loan at Marseille from Roma. His Turkey side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Portugal in the playoffs, which means that he won’t be in action in Qatar.
Federico Chiesa (Italy)
Chiesa played a significant part in Italy’s success at Euro 2020 but a serious injury prevented him from featuring in the playoff against North Macedonia. Chiesa is due to return from injury in August, which means that there would have been a chance of him being involved in the World Cup had Italy qualified.
Tomas Soucek (Czech Republic)
Soucek has been a key factor behind West Ham’s impressive performances but he won’t be involved in Qatar. The midfielder was booked in his side’s defeat to Sweden.