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10 Big-Name Players Missing World Cup

10 Big-Name Players Missing World Cup

World Cup trophy

With the 2022 FIFA World Cup just days away from getting underway, here are 10 high-profile footballers who will not be representing their countries at the tournament.

Ramos Speaks After Spain World Cup Snub

Some big names will be absent from the showpiece in Qatar through injury, with the scheduling of the competition in the middle of the 2022/23 season having drawn heaps of criticism from coaches, supporters and players around the globe.

Others, however, were not selected for their respective national squads, such as Spanish legend Sergio Ramos, who will miss out on an opportunity to compete in his fifth FIFA World Cup.

Joining the 36-year-old Ramos on the list of players overlooked by manager Luis Enrique is Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea, whose form suffered a major dip following the World Cup in Russia four years ago.

The 32-year-old, though, has been impressive in recent weeks at club level, but did not quite do enough to convince Enrique that he is worthy of a place in La Roja Furia's 26-man squad headed to the Middle East.

Liverpool midfielder Thiago was also left out by Enrique, while his club teammate Roberto Firmino was arguably the most popular Brazil international denied a World Cup spot this year by manager Tite. 

Below are more players who won't be heading to the World Cup this year: 

Thiago (Spain) – snubbed
Thiago (Spain) – snubbed Getty Images
Sergio Ramos (Spain)
Sergio Ramos (Spain) – snubbed Getty Images
David De Gea (Spain)
David De Gea (Spain) – snubbed Getty Images
Roberto Firmino (Brazil)
Roberto Firmino (Brazil) – snubbed Getty Images
Paul Pogba (France)
Paul Pogba (France) – injured Getty Images
N’Golo Kante (France) – injured
N'Golo Kante (France) – injuredGetty Images
Timo Werner (Germany)
Timo Werner (Germany) – injuredGetty Images
Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina)
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - DECEMBER 5: The World Cup Trophy during the 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group Draw at the Messe Frankfurt on December 5, Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina) – injured
Diogo Jota (Portugal)
Diogo Jota (Portugal) – injured
Reece James (England)
Reece James (England) – injuredGetty Images

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