The 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup is set to commence in Qatar this weekend. It will be the first-ever FIFA World Cup to be held in the Arab country. 32 teams from six different continents will take part in the tournament.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 will feature some of the best players in the world, including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. There is also a long list of top-quality players who will not take part in the tournament with injuries or their teams failing to secure qualification
On that note, let’s look at the starting XI of the players who will miss the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Goalkeeper – Gianluigi Donnarumma
PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma is among the most talented goalkeepers of his generation. However, he will not take part in the FIFA World Cup as Italy have failed to secure qualification for the tournament.
Read More: England vs Mexico World Cup 1966
The European champions have now failed to qualify for the second consecutive World Cup.
Right-Back – Reece James
Reece James has been a regular in the England squad since making his debut in 2020. He has represented the Three Lions 15 times so far. However, the Chelsea defender suffered a knee injury last month, ruling him out of the FIFA World Cup.
Centre-back – Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos has played a pivotal role in Spain’s success in recent years. He has guided the Red Furry to two European Championships and one FIFA World Cup. Ramos is Spain’s most capped player, with 180 appearances.
However, Luis Enrique has decided to leave him out of the Red Furry’s FIFA World Cup squad due to his age and recent form. Ramos turned 36 this year and has managed to make just 25 league appearances since joining PSG last summer. It remains to be seen whether Spain will miss him in Qatar.
Centre-back – David Alaba
Real Madrid’s David Alaba is currently among the most talented defenders in the world. He has been a star performer for Austria, scoring 14 goals in 97 appearances for Das Team so far. However, he never played in a FIFA World Cup and failed to guide the Central European nation to Qatar as well.
Left-back – Ferland Mendy
Ferland Mendy has been a decent performer for Real Madrid since joining Lyon in 2019. He has played 112 games (in all competitions) for Blancos so far, registering five goals and 10 assists.
Read More: United States vs Germany Head to Head in FIFA World Cup
However, his displays at the Bernabeu Stadium have failed to secure his place in France’s final squad for the World Cup. Theo Fernandez and Lucas Fernandez will be Les Blues’ left-back options in Qatar.
Midfielder – N’Golo Kante
France’s FIFA World Cup 2018 hero N’Golo Kante will miss the tournament this term due to an injury. He suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Chelsea earlier this season and is expected to be on the sidelines until February. He will be a massive miss for France in Qatar.
Midfielder – Thiago
Thiago is widely regarded as the most talented midfielder of his generation. However, the Liverpool star has suffered from injuries and form this season.
He has failed to register a goal or assist in 14 games ( in all competitions) for the Reds this season. Thus, Luis Enrique has decided against including him in Spain’s squad for the World Cup.
Midfielder – Marco Verratti
Marco Verratti will not play in the FIFA World Cup 2022 as Italy failed to secure qualification for the competition for the second consecutive time. Verratti is among the most talented midfielders of his generation and it’s a shame that he will not be gracing the field in Qatar.
Left-winger – Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa has struggled with injuries since joining Juventus in 2020. However, he is a talented footballer and played a key role in Italy’s UEFA Euro 2020 triumph. He was included in the 2020’s UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament after scoring two goals in seven appearances.
Right-winger – Mohamed Salah
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is among the most talented players not participating in the 2022 World Cup. Qatar missed out on qualification to the World Cup after losing to Senegal on penalties during the playoff, with Salah missing in the shootout.
Striker – Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland has created havoc in the Premier League since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund during the summer window. He has registered 18 goals and three assists in 13 Premier League appearances this season.
However, he won’t be participating in the 2022 World Cup as Norway failed to qualify for the tournament after finishing third in their qualifying group.
