BERLIN –
Not each soccer star might be competing at the World Cup.
Some large names might be missing from the match in Qatar due to accidents or as a result of their international locations did not qualify.
ERLING HAALAND (Norway)
The 22-year-old Haaland has had an exceptional begin in his first season at Manchester City with 17 objectives in his first 11 Premier League appearances, however Norway did not beat the Netherlands in the crew’s closing qualifying sport in Group G. Haaland, who had scored in the 1-1 draw once they met in Oslo, missed the decisive sport due to an damage. The Dutch certified as group winners with a 2-0 victory, whereas Norway was left in third place. Haaland has 21 objectives in 23 video games for Norway however he has to attend till at the very least 2026 for his nation to succeed in its first World Cup since 1998.
MOHAMED SALAH (Egypt)
Salah, who gained the Golden Boot as the Premier League’s high scorer alongside Son Heung-min final season, missed a penalty in opposition to Senegal in the shootout that eradicated Egypt from the World Cup playoffs. Salah blasted his try over the crossbar and former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane kicked the winner for his crew’s 3-1 victory. It was a repeat of Senegal’s win on penalties in the African Cup of Nations closing the month earlier than. This season, Salah has scored 4 objectives in his first 12 matches as Liverpool has struggled for wins.
N’GOLO KANTE (France)
Kante hasn’t performed for his membership or his nation since August, and Chelsea confirmed final month that the midfielder will miss the match whereas recovering from surgical procedure on a hamstring damage. Widely thought to be one in every of the world’s greatest midfielders, Kante performed a key function in France’s run to the World Cup title in Russia in 2018. Another France midfielder, Boubacar Kamara, was already dominated out due to damage, and Paul Pogba adopted solely a pair weeks earlier than the match was scheduled to start out.
DAVID ALABA (Austria)
Austria did not qualify for the World Cup after shedding to Wales in the playoffs. Gareth Bale scored two objectives in the 2-1 victory that ended his Real Madrid teammate’s hopes of showing at soccer’s greatest match for the first time. The 30-year-old Alaba, who joined Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2021, captained Austria ultimately yr’s European Championship, the place the crew misplaced to eventual champion Italy in the spherical of 16.
LUIS DIAZ (Colombia)
Diaz’s World Cup hopes had been over even earlier than he injured his knee whereas taking part in for Liverpool as a result of Colombia completed sixth in South American qualifying. The 25-year-old Diaz, who immediately grew to become a Liverpool favorite after his switch from Porto in January, nonetheless hasn’t performed at a World Cup. He has scored eight objectives in 37 appearances for Colombia. James Rodriguez and “El Tigre” Radamel Falcao may even miss the match.
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (Italy)
Arguably the greatest goalkeeper in the world will not be at the World Cup after Italy surprisingly did not qualify for the match — once more. Donnarumma was the participant of the match when he helped Italy win Euro 2020, however he was unable to cease Aleksandar Trajkovski’s injury-time winner for North Macedonia in the World Cup playoffs in March. Italy additionally did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Donnarumma, thought of the inheritor to the nice Gianluigi Buffon, will get his likelihood once more. Despite already making 49 appearances for Italy, he is solely 23 years outdated.
DIOGO JOTA (Portugal)
Jota mentioned “one in every of my desires collapsed” when it was confirmed he’ll miss the World Cup with a calf damage sustained in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Manchester City on Oct. 16. He had already missed the first month of the season due to damage. Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp mentioned Jota confronted “months” to get well. Portugal teammate Pedro Neto can be out after sustaining an ankle damage whereas taking part in with Wolverhampton.