Top 5 players to miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup
The World Cup is the most prestigious football tournament in the globe and is the most important one in a player’s career. Almost every football player dreams of representing his country in the World Cup but not all make it and this year’s World Cup is no exception.
Despite possessing excellent skills and being one of the top performers in the sport, there are some big names who wouldn’t be a part of the showpiece event this year in Qatar. That’s because a horde of top stars has failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with their respective national teams.
Without further delay, let’s take a look at five of the biggest stars who will miss out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar –
#1 Mohammed Salah (Egypt)
Salah blazed his spot-kick over the bar in his nation’s World Cup play-off loss
Mohammed Salah perhaps is the best footballer on the planet this season and is expected to win the Premier League Golden Boot after already scoring 20 goals from 27 games. However, he has had a rough couple of months with the national team as he didn’t even get to take a penalty as Egypt lost a shootout to Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final. Then, he blazed his spot-kick over the bar in his nation’s World Cup play-off loss to the same side.
The star forward though has been consistently performing for Liverpool for quite a long time now but he would not be able to showcase his success at the biggest competition in international football after Egypt was knocked out by Senegal in the qualifiers.
#2 Jan Oblak (Slovenia)
Jan Oblak is one of the best in business today
Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world currently, the Slovenian Jan Oblak has been one of the most consistent shot-stoppers in the game for a long time. In all fairness, the ex-Benfica man deserves more appreciation and recognition for the outstanding feats that he has displayed time and again for Atletico Madrid.
Oblak possesses a great commanding presence in the box and is known for his quick reflexes and agility. However, he is set to watch the mega event from home after his country Slovenia wrapped up their qualifying campaign for the showpiece event in the fourth spot in Group H of the European qualifiers.
#3 Jorginho (Inter)
Jorginho won both the 2020 Euros as well as the Champions League last season
Moving onto midfield, another high-profile absentee is Jorginho. The second runners-up in the 2021 Ballon d’Or results, he was also named the 2021-21 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year after winning the European Championship and Champions League in the same campaign. An integral member of the Chelsea team, the central midfielder has already racked up nine goals and three assists combined for his club and national team this season.
The Chelsea star was key to Azzurri’s Euro 2020 victory; however, he was unable to save Italy from a shock elimination at the hands of North Macedonia last month. At the age of 30, it could be that we will never see the midfielder play in a World Cup game ever.
#4 Erling Haaland (Norway)
Erling Haaland is one of the most sought-after players in the world currently
Very few players have established themselves as the game’s most sought after player at the mere age of 21 than Erling Haaland. The Borussia Dortmund is a beast striker who is being wanted by almost all big clubs in Europe.
Unfortunately, though, we won’t be seeing him at the 2022 FIFA World Cup as Norway finished third in the Group G of the European Qualifiers below the Netherlands and Turkey, despite the superstar scoring five goals in the competition. Norway last played in the World Cup in 1998 but with Haaland still 21, we might still have a chance to see him in the mega-event in future.
#5 Milan Skriniar (Slovakia)
Milan Skriniar is widely regarded as the best defender currently
Inter Milan’s much-coveted defender Milan Skriniar is widely regarded as one of the best and finest at his position in the game today. Earning a reputation of being a strong and aggressive tackler, he also possesses the versatility to play as a defensive midfielder. He has been a wall for the Nerazzurri this season averaging 1.4 tackles and 2.9 clearances per game.
With Slovakia finishing third in their UEFA qualifying group and not securing a play-off berth, it’s a shame we will miss a quality player in Skriniar at the World Cup who might actually never get a chance to compete in a World Cup.