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.
4-2-1-3
Slovakia sadly missed out on a playoff spot after finishing as the worst second-placed team in the UEFA qualifiers.
The Bayern Munich ace cannot achieve the same success he enjoys in Bundesliga when with the national side. And sadly, he may never.
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.
After failing to force a Southampton exit, the center-back has suffered another blow: failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Atletico Madrid’s Montenegrin center-back missed out on a playoff berth, finishing third in Group E.
A 3-0 loss at Brazil saw the Copa America champions suffer heartbreak on the final day.
Armenia finished fifth in Group E. Their chances were slim, at the very best, from the beginning.
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.
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.
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.
Gabon, in Group C, are four points behind leaders Morocco. That means the BVB ace can enjoy the tournament from his flat screen.
![]() | AFC Bournemouth | Aug 20 12:30pm | Arsenal | ![]() |
![]() | Celta de Vigo | Aug 20 4:00pm | Real Madrid | ![]() |
![]() | Leeds United | Aug 21 9:00am | Chelsea | ![]() |
![]() | Bochum | Aug 21 11:30am | Bayern München | ![]() |
![]() | Real Sociedad | Aug 21 4:00pm | Barcelona | ![]() |
![]() | Manchester United | Aug 22 3:00pm | Liverpool | ![]() |
![]() | Southampton | Aug 27 7:30am | Manchester United | ![]() |
![]() | Chelsea | Aug 27 10:00am | Leicester City | ![]() |
![]() | Liverpool | Aug 27 10:00am | AFC Bournemouth | ![]() |
![]() | Bayern München | Aug 27 12:30pm | Borussia M'gladbach | ![]() |