(Getty Images)
Bafana Bafana will not be the only ones watching the World Cup from the couch.
(Getty Images)
Monday night saw one of the giants of world football confirm their non-participation in the next FIFA World Cup that will be held in Russia in 2018.
Sweden held former world champions Italy to a 0-0 draw, ensuring their place in the finals next year, at the expense of the Azzurri, who will be absent from the showpiece just 12 years after lifting the trophy in 2006.
Having made it to the final in South Africa back in 2010 and the semis in Brazil four years later, the Netherlands are also set to be missing in Russia after qualifying. Another notable absentee in next year’s tournament will be South American champions, Chile.
Now despite failing to qualify, these nations still consists of some of the world’s best players and the show will, unfortunately have to go on without them.
Here are ten of the best players you won’t see in Russia… at least not on the field of play.
The Real Madrid star will have been working hard to stay fit for next year’s showpiece, considering his recent luck with injuries but it would be his country’s non-qualification that would keep him out of the tournament.
Having been one of the stand-out players in the previous two tournaments, he will certainly not feature in any “player of the competition” list in Russia, as he will not be there.
The sole superstar in the Armenian side. Not too many will have expected his country to qualify, but a lot would have loved to see him in the biggest stage.
The Leicester City winger’s Algeria had an even worse qualification campaign than Bafana Bafana, (and that’s saying a lot) as they failed to win even a single game in the qualifiers.
After conquering South America twice in a row, one would have thought qualification for Chile was a given. It proved not to be.
Also read: 2018 Soccer World Cup Qualifiers: Results
Raised his stock in the last FIFA World Cup in Brazil with some solid performances for his country. Will unfortunately not get the chance to do the same in Russia.
His country narrowly lost out to Morocco. Russia will have to do without the big Man United defender.
Has shown great potential and promises to be one the United States’ greatest footballers. He will have to wait another four years to showcase his talents in the biggest stage though.
Italy’s non-qualification meant that the veteran midfielder was forced to hang up his boots unceremoniously. Not before being seen having a go at the coaching staff in the dugout.
Monday saw the 2006 World Cup winning goalkeeper finally retire from international football at the age of 39, following Italy’s failure to qualify.
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