The qualifying rounds for the 2022 World Cup are not over and there are still three places to be contested, but we already know that some of the greatest players will not travel to Qatar. In fact, the stars who missed the World Cup could assemble a strong squad that would sit at home later this year and watch the game. Perhaps, one day, the Expansion of the World Cup can invite fans around the world to vote for a team composed of unsuccessful stars to participate in the World Cup to increase the commerciality and attraction of the World Cup.
Goalkeeper: Donnaruma
It's a shame we can't see Slovakia and Atletico Madrid's ace Oblak in the World Cup, but Donnarumma's absence is even more shocking. After all, the brilliant goalkeeper played a key role in Italy's unexpected European Championship-winning journey and was therefore named the best player at Euro 2020. However, Donarumma was powerless to stop the Blues from sliding at an alarming rate and failed to qualify for Qatar, with Mancini's side defeated by North Macedonia in the play-offs. The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, who is currently only 23 years old, should have more opportunities to glorify the World Cup, but given his poor form and awkward situation at the Parc des Princes this season, being eliminated is the most realistic outcome he needs now.
Centre-back: Shkrinjar
Slovakia finished third in the group stage in the European zone of the World Preliminaries, but they did not even get a play-off spot. It was a shame for Shkrinjaer, who played every game in the failed qualifier journey for the national team. The highly sought after Inter defender is considered one of the best centre-backs in the world today, but the 27-year-old may never have a chance to play in a World Cup match.
Centre-back: Chiellini
Chiellini was almost incoherent after Italy's 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia, admitting that he was "crushed" by the second consecutive failure of the national team to qualify for the World Cup. The reason is easy to understand. The experienced centre-back will turn 38 later this year. Chiellini may have played a key role in Italy's Euro 2020 victory, but he never had another chance to be on the stage of the World Cup. Of course, this is good news for strikers all over the world, but it is a blow for neutrals, who believe that one of the great defenders of the modern era should give their full strength to their national team at the 2022 World Cup.
Centre-back: Alaba
We could have had David Alaba in several positions in this lineup. Real Madrid ace is such an all-rounder. He's amazing. It's tough to see Austria beat Wales in the World Cup play-offs because there is now a very realistic prospect that Arabba will never play in the World Cup. The 29-year-old certainly has another chance at the World Cup, but it's worth pointing out that Austria has never reached the World Cup final stage since 1998.
Right winger: Mahrez
Manchester City's Mahrez scored five goals for Algeria, beating Burkina Faso to become Group A first and make it to the play-offs in the African zone. However, after Cameroon's 1-0 win, the North Africans were abruptly defeated in the second leg, losing the World Cup qualifier in the face of the away scoring rules. With Mahrez now 31, the Algerian captain may never have the chance to increase in his 72-minute playing time at the 2014 Fifacious World Cup in Brazil.
Centre-forward: Verratti
A lot of people think Verratti is the best midfielder in the world. One piece of evidence is his recent performance for Paris Saint-Germain against Real Madrid at the Parc des Princes, when he almost single-handedly limited Casemiro, Tony Cross and Luca Modric. Verratti also excelled at Euro 2020, recovering from injuries and regaining the starting spot for Italy. However, neither he nor the Italian national team will go to Qatar. Villatti is arguably the only Italian player to perform normally in the play-offs against North Macedonia, but that doesn't mean the vulnerable 29-year-old's national team career will end with him playing just 132 minutes at the 2014 Fifale World Cup in Brazil.
Centre-forward: Frank Casey
Casey will play for Barcelona next season, but he will not represent Ivory Coast at the 2022 World Cup. In the final match of the group stage, the African elephants were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon and therefore could not make it to the play-offs in the African zone. This means that people like Jeremy Boga, Nicholas Pepe, Sebastian Alai and Wilfrid Zaha will not go to Qatar. Still, Casey is arguably the best player to perform on the international stage, but at least he can now focus on proving himself capable of being a midfielder for Barca.
Left winger: Luis Diaz
Liverpool fans quickly realised that Tottenham's interest in Luis Diaz had sparked Klopp's action: the Colombia international was a true special talent who simply didn't need time to settle in at Anfield. Unfortunately, however, we cannot see this industrious and skilled winger in Qatar. Diaz ignited last year's Copa America, where he did his best to win a play-off spot for Colombia, but they ultimately paid the price for a 1-0 home loss at home to Peru earlier this year, which left them only sixth in the Americas.
Forward: Salah
What an unforgettable experience these months have been for Salah! First, in the Africa Cup of Nations final, Egypt lost to their opponents in a penalty shoot-out with Senegal, and the goal-scoring Liverpool striker didn't even get a penalty. His national team then lost to the same team in the World Cup play-offs, during which the penalty he shot hit the goal frame. So it's no surprise that Salah, who is clearly heartbroken, is now considering quitting the national team. Salah and his national team also didn't impress at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Forward: Haaland
Haaland, a popular striker who is popular all over Europe, is not present in Qatar, which doesn't feel right. The prolific Dortmund centre-forward has scored eight goals in the last five international competitions, including five goals in three World Cup qualifiers. However, that wasn't enough to bring Norway to Qatar, where nordic powerhouses finished third in the group stage with three points left before the play-offs. The 21-year-old's era is sure to come, but it's frustrating that the sensational player didn't get a chance to show himself at this year's World Cup.
Forward: Aubameyang
Aubameyang had a sensational start to his career at Barcelona, scoring nine goals in his first 11 games in Catalonia, which reminds everyone of his top scorer qualities. The 32-year-old scored two goals in the Group Stage in the Africa Zone of the World Cup, but Gabon finished second far behind Egypt, which eventually made it to the play-offs. Aubameyang, then, can only now be satisfied with his performance at Barca.