The World Cup is usually associated as being a tournament that combines the best players on the planet together for one memorable spectacle.
This year is perhaps the most anticipated international tournament in years, with stars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo hoping to carry their nations all the way and even past the galaxy of stars in both Germany and Spain’s squads.
However, only 32 nations can qualify. The failure of those nations who didn’t means that this year, more than any other World Cup in recent memory, several high profile players will be watching the tournament from their homes.
Here’s a look at a team of players unfortunate to not be on the plane to Brazil.
GK: PETR CECH
Nation: Czech Republic
Club: Chelsea
Age: 31
Joe Hart’s poor form for Manchester City in the first half of the season has led to many questioning England’s goalkeeping position. Many nations, England included, would love to have a goalkeeper with as much proven experience as Petr Cech between the sticks. Overall though, his Czech Republic teammates make up a fairly average side and failed to qualify from a congested Group B, which was won by Italy.
RB: BRANISLAV IVANOVIC
Nation: Serbia
Club: Chelsea
Age: 29
Originally a centre-back, the Serbian’s ability to play at right-back and perform impressively while doing so has meant returning Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has stuck with Ivanovic rather than adding to his defence. The powerful 29-year-old will not feature in Brazil however, as Serbia finished behind Belgium and Croatia in Group A.
CB: DANIEL AGGER
Nation: Denmark
Club: Liverpool
Age: 28
Daniel Agger is one of those unqiue centre-backs with an ability of getting the ball down and picking a pass, as well as being a force to be reckoned with at the back. The Liverpool man is a popular figure on Merseyside, but sadly won’t be playing at this year’s World Cup. His Denmark side finished second in Group B, behind Italy, and were harshly ruled out of participating in the play-offs as they had the least points out of the other runners-up.
CB: NEVEN SUBOTIC
Nation: Serbia
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Age: 25
The Borussia Dortmund defender missed six of Serbia’s 10 World Cup qualifiers and like Ivanovic is one of his nation’s unluckiest players to not be on the plane to Brazil. Last season, he was a vital figure in the Dortmund defence that helped Jurgen Klopp’s side reach the Champions League final. To worsen Subotic’s pain, not only will he miss the World Cup, but he’ll also miss the rest of Dortmund’s season with a knee injury.
LB: DAVID ALABA
Nation: Austria
Club: Bayern Munich
Age: 21
There’s no doubt that you have to be a quality footballer to be a regular in Bayern Munich’s exceptional side. David Alaba has made the left-back spot his own for the Champions League winners and has continuously impressed with his defending and overlapping runs. The 21-year-old won the treble last season but hasn’t had the same success at international level as Austria finished third in Group C behind Germany and Sweden.
RM: ARDA TURAN
Nation: Turkey
Club: Atletico Madrid
Age: 27
Turkey’s current set of players aren’t half bad. They have the likes of Burak Yilmaz, Nuri Sahin, and of course, the golden boy of their nation, Arda Turan. However, they have ended another qualifying campaign with disappointment and regret after finishing fourth in Group D behind Holland, and more painfully, Romania and Hungary. Arda Turan has been one of the bright sparks in Atletico Madrid’s impressive season, which currently sees them three points clear of Barcelona and city rivals Real Madrid. Despite his impressive club form, Turan won’t be showing off his talent in Brazil.
CM: AARON RAMSEY
Nation: Wales
Club: Arsenal
Age: 23
Aaron Ramsey’s form for Arsenal so far this season has been impressive enough to place him in a squad for any nation. The 23-year-old easily walks into the Wales starting 11, but besides Gareth Bale, is surrounded by some rather below par players. In truth, Wales were never in serious contention of qualifying for this summer’s tournament. They finished second bottom in Group A.
CM: CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN
Nation: Denmark
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Age: 21
The Premier League may be unaware of what a special talent Christian Eriksen is due to his injury plagued start to his Tottenham career. However, there is no doubt that with time, the £11 million Andre Villas-Boas paid for his services will surely be considered a bargain. The playmaker was the focal point of an Ajax squad that won three consecutive Eredivisie Championships, and at just 21, is expected to become one of the finest players in world football. Unfortunately, Eriksen won’t be able to showcase his talents on the biggest stage this year due to Denmark’s absence.
LW: GARETH BALE
Nation: Wales
Club: Real Madrid
Age: 24
Is it possible to call a player who Real Madrid paid a record £85.3 million for unlucky? In Gareth Bale’s case, yes, it is. Like Ryan Giggs, it is unlikely that Bale will ever play at a major international tournament with other world class players due to the inability of his Wales teammates. If it’s any consolation, the former Tottenham star is beginning to find his feet in the Spanish capital after a stuttering start in La Liga.
FW: ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
Nation: Sweden
Club: Paris Saint Germain
Age: 32
After scoring eight goals in the qualifiers and narrowly being knocked out of the play-offs by the individual brilliance of Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s understandable for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to feel the unluckiest of the bunch not heading to Brazil. The Paris Saint Germain forward was recently quoted as saying, “A World Cup without me is nothing to watch,” and although that may not necessarily be true, there’s no doubt we’d rather have his talent on the pitch than anywhere else.
FW: ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
Nation: Poland
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Age: 25
There are very few forwards more clinical in-front of goal than Robert Lewadowski in world football. The Polish international has scored 65 goals in 112 games for Borussia Dortmund. Lewandowski can use his free time in the summer to adjust to life at Bayern Munich, whom he will join for next season after they beat off reported interest from English clubs. There’s little doubt that Lewandowski will be a success at Bayern Munich but he’ll still have loved an international tournament with his nation who finished fourth in Group H behind England, Ukraine and Montenegro.