The 2022 FIFA World Cup is upon us, and Qatar will be filled with superstars and rising stars from different leagues across the globe.
However, there are a number of superstars who will NOT be at the World Cup finals for various reasons, and somehow fans would feel robbed.
For some, this would have been their last World Cup as age isn’t on their sides, and for others, it would have been a major highlight to their football careers.
For instance, players such as Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante would have wanted to help France win back-to-back World Cup trophies after being crowned champions in 2018.
usaneu takes a look at the top 10 players who will NOT be part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in no particular order.
WORLD CUP 2022: MANE, BENZEMA AND TOP STARS THAT AREN’T IN QATAR
MOHAMED SALAH (EGYPT)
After reaching the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Liverpool star was expected to help Egypt qualify for the World Cup but it wasn’t to be.
ERLING HAALAND (NORWAY)
Haaland has been talk of the town for many years now, and his record since joining Manchester City speaks for itself but Norway couldn’t qualify for the Qatar games.
SADIO MANE (SENEGAL)
Mane was in the Senegal squad for the World Cup but he suffered an injury on 8 November, and had to be withdrawn from the squad following his surgery.
PAUL POGBA (FRANCE)
Pogba’s World Cup dream ended in October when he suffered a knee injury while playing for Juventus. He continues with his rehabilitation.
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (ITALY)
The PSG goalkeeper has had a stellar career, and he’s among the top shot-stoppers in Europe but he will not be in Qatar because Italy failed to qualify.
N’GOLO KANTE (FRANCE)
Kante has been in and out of the Chelsea team due to injuries, and the latest one saw him miss the World Cup altogether as France named their final squad.
SERGIO RAMOS (SPAIN)
This would have been Ramos’ fifth World Cup appearance but he can blame that on an injury he suffered a few months ago although he came back stronger afterwards.
JAMES REECE (ENGLAND)
Reece is arguably England’s best right-back but he picked up a long-term injury a few months ago while playing for Chelsea.
DAVID ALABA (AUSTRIA)
The Bayern Munich defender will miss this World Cup because his country (Austria) didn’t do enough to book their place in the finals.
KARIM BENZEMA (FRANCE)
Benzema’s story is similar to that of Mane as he had already been in the France final squad only to be withdrawn on the eve of the start of the World Cup.
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