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