The 2022 FIFA World Cup being held in Qatar is just a few weeks away now. With the stage, all set and all the 32 teams ready, the greatest footballing event of the year is all hot to trot.
We will see many great players with their teams competing in this international tournament starting on 21st November 2022. And the climax to this story will be written on 18th December when the final two teams will collide for the Cup and international glory for its nation.
However, many incredible players will not be partaking in the event as their teams were unable to qualify for the group stages. Let us take a look at some of these great players and learn more about 10 renowned players who will miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
10. Victor Lindelof
Manchester United’s number 2 and their star defender, Victor Lindelof is one of the few unfortunate players who will not be seen playing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Lindelof has been playing for the Red Devils since 2017 and has played over 139 Premier League matches.
Victor has won the UEFA European U-21 Championship in 2015. However, while playing in the Sweden national football team, Victor Lindelof lost his chance to play in the upcoming FIFA World Cup with his team’s poor performance in the qualifiers.
9. Marco Verratti
Serie B footballer of the year and now playing in the top tier league in France, Marco Verratti is one of the finest midfielders of the current age. He plays for Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 and has won 8 out of 9 league titles with them.
Marco Verretti plays for the Italy national football team and hence would not be seen in the 2022 World Cup. It was one of the biggest upset’s when the European Championship 2020 winning squad was unable to qualify for the group stages of the World Cup.
8. David Alaba
Former Bayern Munich defensive midfielder, David Alaba currently plays for the La Liga club Real Madrid. David has played 281 Bundesliga matches and scored 22 goals in them.
He has 10 Bundesliga titles and one La Liga title in his senior career. David plays for the Austrian national football team and is one of their integral members. However, his nation failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and hence David will miss the chance to play in the tournament.
7. Gianluigi Donnarumma
Paris Saint Germain’s mainstay goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the best hands in the region and is well known for his incredible saves. However, he is more famed for his time with the Italian club AC Milan where he appeared in 215 league matches.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is another victim of the Italian team not qualifying for the group stages. He will be missed on the field of Qatar during the tenure of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
6. Luis Diaz
Golden Boot joint winner alongside Lionel Messi in Copa America 2021, Luis Diaz is one of the foremost wingers in the region. He currently plays for the Premier League club, Liverpool.
Luis was born in Barrancas, Colombia and hence plays for the Colombian national football team. Colombian squad’s performance was weak this year and hence they couldn’t confirm their group stage seats for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan is no doubt one of the most renowned players in the world and is also a great forward. He currently plays for the Italian club as their ace striker and has already become one of the best players in the region.
Zlatan plays for the Sweden team alongside Victor and is one of the leading top scorers for the nation. However, this year Sweden failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and hence faded away possibly the last chance to see Zlatan playing in the tournament given his age.
4. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
A recent addition to the Chelsea main squad, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one of the best strikers of the current generation. He has previously done exceptionally well in both Bundesliga and Premier League playing for Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal respectively.
While playing in the international formats, Pierre plays for his nation Gabon. However, Gabon didn’t qualify for the FIFA World Cup and hence Pierre’s absence will be felt in the tournament.
3. Martin Odegaard
Arsenal’s number 8 and their 23-year-old captain, Martin Odegaard is one of the greatest players in the region and has achieved a lot at a very young age. One of his achievements is the Copa Del Rey victory in the year 2020 with the Spanish Club Real Sociedad.
Martin was born and brought up in Drammen, Norway. Therefore the player is spotted playing for the Norway football team on multiple occasions. One of them could’ve been the upcoming World Cup but Norway failed to qualify for the group stages.
2. Mohamed Salah
Liverpool’s number 11 and their star player Mohamed salah is without hesitation one of the best strikers in the world. His skills have made Liverpool one of the best teams in the current Premier League scenario.
Salah is an Egyptian and hence plays for his country’s national squad in the international formats. He is one of their leading goalscorers and has always performed well for his nation. However, this time he will not be able to participate in the World Cup given his country’s poor performance in the qualifiers.
1. Erling Halaand
The current footballing sensation and one of the best players of current times, Erling Halaand plays for the Premier League reigning champions Manchester City. Previously he played for Borussia Dortmund and had an amazing run in the Bundesliga.
Halaand was born in England but plays for the Norway international football team in the international formats. Even at the age of 22, he is one of the country’s important players and has scored 21 goals in 23 international matches. However, this year he would not be able to participate in the World Cup as his team couldn’t qualify for the tournament.
Read next: Everything you need to know about Lionel Messi’s fractious relationship with Barcelona
