Top 10 players who will not be playing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar: Haaland, Salah, etc
Some of the world’s best will miss the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
With the 2022 World Cup in Qatar just around the corner, we take a look at some of the best players who won’t be at the tournament this year.
Erling Haaland
The Manchester City striker will miss the World Cup after Norway finished third in their UEFA qualifying group behind Netherlands and Turkey. Haaland, 22, will have to make do with a friendly against Ireland in Dublin on 17 November.
Mohamed Salah
Salah missed a penalty in a playoff shootout defeat to Senegal, meaning that he won’t get the chance to shine this winter. By the time the next World Cup comes around, he will be heading for his mid-thirties.
David Alaba
Despite enjoying plenty of success at club level, the Real Madrid centre-back will get a well-earned break in November and December as he watches his team-mates playing on the greatest stage.
Luis Díaz
The Liverpool forward will have to wait another four years after Colombia missed out on a CONMEBOL playoff place by a single point to Peru.
Martin Ødegaard
Like his compatriot Haaland, the Arsenal skipper will not be able to enjoy a World Cup campaign with Norway in 2022. With Ødegaard and Haaland only going to improve, there is a possibility we will see them in 2026.
Franck Kessié
The CAF qualification process saw Ivory Coast eliminated in the second-round group stage after finishing second to Cameroon, meaning the Barcelona midfielder will be watching from home.
Victor Osimhen
A disappointing AFCON qualifying campaign was followed by an away goals playoff defeat to Ghana. The Napoli man also failed to add to his four goals from the previous group stage round.
Alexander Isak
Sweden’s playoff final defeat to Poland means the new record signing at Newcastle will miss Qatar. The former Real Sociedad man failed to add to his nine international goals in 2022.
Marco Verratti
Verratti has gone under the radar for years despite excellent performances with Italy and in the Champions League with PSG. The diminutive midfielder, prepared for the biggest stages, will be a loss in the 2022 tournament.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
The Euro 2021 winner will take off the gloves in November and December as the Azzurri once again failed to qualify for the World Cup. Still only 23, Donnarumma will have his sights on one day playing in a World Cup with his country.