The World Cup qualifiers are almost over. Only a few games – the playoffs and a few qualifiers in Africa – remain before the final 32 teams for the tournament in Russia is finalized.
However, next year’s competition will see a number of big-name players missing out. With the likes of Chile, Wales, Netherlands, and USA failing to qualify; many aces will have to watch the World Cup from their TV.
Here, we compile a starting eleven with the best players not to qualify.
Formation
4-2-1-3
GK: Jan Oblak
Slovakia sadly missed out on a playoff spot after finishing as the worst second-placed team in the UEFA qualifiers.
LB: David Alaba
The Bayern Munich ace cannot achieve the same success he enjoys in Bundesliga when with the national side. And sadly, he may never.
RB: Antonio Valencia
Not a full-back by nature, the Ecuadorian has excelled in that role this season. Unfortunately, competition in CONMEBOL was too tough for his nation to qualify.
CB: Virgil Van Dijik
After failing to force a Southampton exit, the center-back has suffered another blow: failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
CB: Stefan Savic
Atletico Madrid’s Montenegrin center-back missed out on a playoff berth, finishing third in Group E.
CM: Arturo Vidal
A 3-0 loss at Brazil saw the Copa America champions suffer heartbreak on the final day.
CM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Armenia finished fifth in Group E. Their chances were slim, at the very best, from the beginning.
AM: Alexis Sanchez
The tireless Arsenal attacker sadly will be unable to entertain fans in Russia. Sanchez can now focus on his true dream: leaving the Emirates Stadium.
LW: Gareth Bale
The Real Madrid ace was injured and thus had to watch his national side bottle it in the final game to lose a playoff spot to Ireland.
RW: Arjen Robben
The deadly winger retired from international football after his nation finished third in their group. It’s a sad end for a player who came achingly close to the title in 2010 and ripped Spain apart in 2014.
CF: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Gabon, in Group C, are four points behind leaders Morocco. That means the BVB ace can enjoy the tournament from his flat screen.
Subs:
- Claudio Bravo
- Ben Davies
- Naby Keita
- Arjen Robben
- Christian Pulisic
- Edin Dzeko
- Aaron Ramsey
