The World Cup is normally a show case of the world’s best footballing talent, but there are always one or two big names that miss out due to their national team’s performances in qualifying. The list of stars who won’t be in Brazil next year is actually quite staggering – so much so that a very decent XI can be formed. Below is that eleven, in a traditional 4-4-2 formation.
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Czech Republic)
The Czech Republic continued their poor World Cup qualifying record, and have still only made the 2006 edition since the break-up of Czechoslovakia in 1993. Chelsea’s legendary keeper cannot be blamed for this however. Cech kept five clean sheets during the qualifying campaign and remains the unchallenged starting goalie at a massive club. He is still one of the world’s best between the sticks.
Right Back: Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia)
Another man who calls Stamford Bridge home, Ivanovic’s nation were drawn in a very challenging group, so it is arguably of little surprise that they will not compete in Brazil. It should also be of little surprise to football fans that he makes this list, having been an ever-present for both club and country for the best part of the last decade.
Centre Back: Nemanja Vidic (Serbia)
Over the last few seasons, the United man has become slightly injury prone and lost a yard of pace, but there are few defenders in world football who possess his combination of experience, strength and composure. His absence through injury from much of Serbia’s campaign goes a long way to explaining their disappointing third place finish in Group A.
Centre Back: Martin Skrtel (Slovakia)
The East European theme in defence continues with Liverpool’s Slovakian stalwart. Skrtel lead his country at the last World Cup, where his leadership qualities and physically imposing style were evident for all to see. Slovakia may have endured a very disappointing qualifying campaign this time around, but it is very difficult to argue with the reputation that Skrtel has built up over the years.
Left Back: David Alaba (Austria)
The Austrian left-back has been an integral part of the Bayern Munich juggernaut that has come to dominate European football in the last couple of seasons. Exceptionally quick, a great crosser and more than able to track back and defend, Alaba is the epitome of a complete wing back. At just 21, the world is also his oyster. Anyone who tallies over 100 Bayern Munich appearances by his age thoroughly deserves to be taken notice of.
Right Midfield: Gylfi Sigurosson (Iceland)
Iceland’s playoff loss to Croatia was the closest they had ever come to qualifying for the World Cup, and Sigurosson has been a major reason for the country’s newfound success. The Tottenham midfielder is still only 24, and his famous long-efforts are set to enthral both club and national fans for years to come. His spectacular brace in the qualifier with Slovenia make for particularly good viewing.
Defensive Midfield: Viktor Wanyama (Kenya)
The only non-European on this list, the £12.5 million Kenyan captain has been an absolute rock this season in the Premier League, and has been a major part of Southampton’s incredible defensive record. Few players possess his combination of power and pace.
Attacking Midfield: Marek Hamsik (Slovakia)
Napoli’s midfield gem is only 26, and yet has been one of Europe’s most consistently excellent players over the last five or six seasons. 277 games for a perennial Champions League club and 66 national appearances are impressive statistics for a player his age; yet it is his more intangible touch and vision that are truly exceptional.
Left Midfield: Gareth Bale (Wales)
He may have not completely settled into life in Madrid yet, but there’s no real reason for debate here. The Welshman is still an exceptional talent and should be for years to come. The real shame is that fans may well never get to see him at the sport’s biggest tournament.
Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
The ever-polarising Zlatan said after Sweden’s playoff loss to Portugal that “a World Cup without me is something I won’t be following”. He may have one of football’s biggest egos but the man has a point. He has been the primary reason for PSG’s rise back to silverware and the scorer of some absolute stunners for Sweden in recent times. Brazil 2014 will certainly be less entertaining without his presence.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Sought after by just about every big club in Europe over the last couple of seasons, Lewandowski has spearheaded Borussia Dortmund’s revival. Having scored over 20 goals in consecutive Bundesliga seasons and already grabbed 9 more in 11 games this term, it’s easy to see he is considered one of the world’s best target men.
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