It was one of the most memorable and shocking World Cup qualifiers in our lifetime. Numerous big-name teams were eliminated from the World Cup all across the globe. Teams like Netherlands, Chile, United States and even Italy will have to watch the tournament at home like the rest of us. With big teams being eliminated, that means that some huge names will also be absent this summer. Here is my starting XI of World Cup absentees
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus)
Biggest no brainer in this list. The best keeper to ever play who was looking to for his 5th World Cup at the age of 39. The fine wine of keepers who seemed to get better with age. He’s played a huge role in Juve’s dominance in Italy in the last few years and helped lead them to two Champions League finals in three years. Announced he would retire from the national team at the end of the tournament and well… we know the rest.
Right Back: Antonio Valencia (Ecuador/Manchester United)
The Manchester United right back will have to miss out on what would’ve been his third World Cup appearance. Valencia’s Ecuador finished 8th in the CONMEBOL qualifiers with six points separating them and fifth place Peru. In fact, it was Ecuador who witnessed first-hand how Messi’s hat trick would send Argentina to the World Cup. At age 32, it appears as if this would be Valencia’s last chance at the World Cup.
Center Back: Giorgio Chiellini (Italy/Juventus)
Chiellini is the second Juventus player on this list who’s international career has come to a close. The Juve defender announced after Italy’s elimination that he would also join Buffon in international retirement. Chiellini has played a huge role in Juve’s dominance in Italy being one of the most lockdown defenders in Europe. Countless club titles but failed to win a trophy with Italy’s senior squad.
Left Back: David Alaba (Austria/Bayern Munich)
Bayern’s utility man has been unlucky to be born in a country that rarely makes an international tournament. Austria failed to reach the World Cup for the fifth straight time despite having an accessible group. Alaba has now played in just one international tournament despite being one of the most entertaining young talents in the World. Has won it all with Bayern but Austria will continue to hold him down in the international stage.
Right wing: Arjen Robben (Netherlands/Bayern Munich)
Netherland’s decline in the last few years have ruined the last few years of Robben’s international career. The team went from back to back World Cup semifinal appearances to missing out on the Euro in 2016 and the World Cup in 2018. Robben has been plagued with injuries in the last few years which probably played a part in his decision to retire from the national team. I’m sure he would’ve wanted to erase those horrible memories that were left after the 2010 World Cup. With veterans like Robben and Van Persie no longer with the national team, Netherlands could be facing tough times in the near future.
Center Mid: Arturo Vidal (Chile/Bayern Munich)
El Rey Arturo went from winning back to back Copa Americas with Chile to finishing 6th in South America and missing out on the World Cup. The Bayern midfielder has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the World who can serve as an attacking or defensive midfielder. Despite being labeled as an alcoholic by former manager Jorge Sampaoli, Vidal was the heart and soul of Chile. Poor performances during the last few qualifiers left Chile out of the World Cup thus ending their dominance.
Center Mid: Marco Verratti (Italy/PSG)
Verratti went from being held hostage by PSG in the summer to missing out on the World Cup months later. Italy’s embarrassing performances against Sweden prevented Verratti from his second World Cup. The midfielder is still just 25-years-old meaning that he has at least two more chances to make the World Cup. However, I’m sure the World was anxious to see one of the best young midfielders make his mark in the World Cup.
Left Midfield: Alexis Sanchez (Chile/Arsenal)
The Arsenal man (for now) has had a rough year so far. Not only is he missing out on the World Cup, but he’s had to play with Arsenal for the entire year. Sanchez has lit it up for Arsenal since arriving in 2014 making him their only consistent player. Capable of playing on both wings, at the “9” and even as more of a “10” role, Sanchez is as versatile as an attacking player can be. Unfortunately for him, Chile’s luck ran out just when the team needed it the most. Apparent chaos in the locker room prevented him from playing a World Cup at the peak of his prime.
Attacking Midfielder: Christian Pulisic (United States/Borussia Dortmund)
The American prodigy will have to wait at least four more years before he makes his World Cup debut. He almost singlehandedly dragged the United States into the World Cup but came up just short. Pulisic launched into stardom with Dortmund where he’s played a massive role in the team’s electrifying offense. Quick, crafty and with an eye for goal, Pulisic is a World Cup viewer’s biggest dream. Thanks to terrible management, Pulisic will have to wait until he’s 23 to make his World Cup debut.
Striker: Lorenzo Insigne (Italy/Napoli)
Insigne has been lighting it up with Napoli this season and has helped lead them to the top of Serie A. He was mysteriously left off the starting XI against Sweden in the second leg and didn’t even see the pitch despite the team needing one goal to stay alive. He’s been a human highlight reel so far this season but he’ll unfortunately have to watch the World Cup at home.
Striker: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon/Borussia Dortmund)
The French-born striker must be regretting his choice to play for Gabon. Tough African qualifiers saw Aubameyang’s Gabon finish third in their group and miss out on the World Cup once again. The Dortmund striker has been on many elite team’s radar for several year making him one of the most talked-about players in the World. His loyalty to his roots is respectable but he might be regretting it after missing out on another World Cup.
Honorable mentions:
Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid)
Let’s be real for a second. There’s a huge possibility that even if Wales made it to the World Cup, Bale would’ve been injured. When healthy, he’s still one of the best wingers in the World. Only problem is, health has been one obstacle that Bale has yet to overcome.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Armenia/Manchester United)
The Armenian attacking mid was fantastic for United last season during their turnaround season. Creative, speedy and with amazing dribbling, Mkhitaryan is one of the best in the World at his position. Much like Gabon and Alaba, the World could only wish that he was born in another country.
Agree or disagree with me? Let me know!
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