Top 10 players missing from the FIFA World Cup 2022

The footballing stars have already begun descending in Qatar ahead of the biggest competition on earth.

As in any major tournament, there are several top players who don't make it to the biggest stage due to various factors such as International retirement, injuries, and their nation not qualifying. Down below is a list of such players who've made a difference for their countries and left an impression, but unfortunately will be missing out on Qatar World Cup 2022.

10. Tammy Abraham

The Roma striker and former Chelsea striker is a surprising name to be excluded from the hugely talented England squad. He set the record last season for the most goals scored in a single Serie A season by an Englishman with 17 goals. However, similar to his former Chelsea teammate Fikayo Tomori, he hasn't been able to reproduce the goals for his club side A.S. Roma, scoring only 4 goals in all competitions. England manager Gareth justified the exclusion "Tammy’s had a poor run of scoring form at the wrong time. For competitions like the World Cup, the form could be more important in the end,” in his press conference.

9. Fikayo Tomori

The Seria A winner with AC Milan last season, would be disappointed to not make Gareth Southgate's England squad, announced last Thursday. With the impressive statistic of having the most tackles by an English defender since last season, Tomori's place wasn't guaranteed, with the likes of Maguire, Coady, Ben White, and Eric Dier etc, chosen ahead of him. He formed a formidable partnership with French defender Pierre Kalulu in the heart of the defence for the Italian giants, last season, with the best defence in Seria A, and ended up winning the league title for AC Milan after an 11-year wait. However, his inability to replicate his tremendous form from last season might have cost him his place in the England World Cup squad.

8. N'Golo Kante

World Cup winner in 2018 with his native France, and Chelsea's midfield Dynamo will be a huge miss for his nation given his crucial performances for both and country and winning the Premier League, and Champions League amongst other trophies. His presence and energy would have made an impactful difference in Les Blues' bid to retain the World Cup and will be thoroughly missed. Another one from the list of the Chelsea players missing from the World Cup 2022.

7. Reece James

The Chelsea and England star is amongst the key names to miss out on the big stage in Qatar, having sustained a devastating knee injury, while playing in a group stage game against AC Milan on 11 October. There was optimism amongst the England faithful that a fit Reece James starts in the first game against Iran, on the 21st of November at the Khalifa International Stadium, Doha. However, with a short recovery period between the injury and the beginning of the World Cup, the England manager decided against picking James, stating "too many unknowns" in the Chelsea star's recovery.

6. Diogo Jota

The Liverpool and Portugal forward is a big name missing the Qatar World Cup. Jota, who has scored 10 times in 29 appearances for Portugal and was deemed to form a fearsome forward line consisting of legend Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, is a major blow to Fernando Santos's men. The Liverpool star suffered a serious calf injury and was stretchered off, deep into stoppage time during Liverpool's 1-0 Premier League win against champions Manchester City, on 16th October. Manager Jurgen Klopp later confirmed that the forward would miss out "Really not good news, yes he will miss the World Cup," Klopp said. "Pretty serious injury in the calf muscle and now the process starts. That's it pretty much."

5. Thiago Alcantara

The elegant Spanish midfielder was amongst the few star Spanish footballers to not receive a call-up to the La Roja squad led by Manager Luis Enrique. Thiago was a key member of the Spain squad for the Euros 2020, with his last appearance coming in July 2021 in the semifinal against Italy. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich star's creativity and playmaking ability will be a big miss for the 2010 World Champions, particularly against defensive low-block teams in the latter stages of the competition. However, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be pleased to see his midfield maestro get some much-needed rest during the hectic World Cup period and will be banking on him to kickstart his club's second part of the season post-Qatar.

4. Sergio Ramos

The exclusion of a player with 180 caps, i.e most in the history of the Spanish national team might come as a shock to many neutrals. However, the choice has been made by manager Luis Enrique. Lucho decided to go ahead with his tried and tested personnel of Eric Garcia, Pau Torres, and Aymeric Laporte. All three of them heavily featured in Spain's Euro 2020 semi-final journey.

The two-time European Champion and World Cup winner is having a successful season with his club side PSG. He has heavily featured alongside club captain Marquinhos in defence, leading them top of Ligue 1. The Spain legend might feel hard done by missing out on his fifth World Cup. However, given his age and recent year with PSG filled with injuries, he might be looking to prolong his glittering club career by taking PSG to their coveted Champions League glory. As for his World Cup 2022 aspirations, Lucho has put him on the list of the players missing from the megaevent.

3. Timo Werner

The former Chelsea striker is having a redemption season back in the Bundesliga, having rejoined his former club RB Leipzig, in the summer on a four-year deal. He has contributed to a combined 5 goals and assists in 9 games for his club side and was a key component in the German national team under Hansi Flick in the recent past. However, an unfortunate ligament injury on his left ankle, suffered against Shakhtar Donestk in the Champions League has ruled him out of the World Cup. The 26-year-old has scored 24 goals in 55 international appearances for Germany and netted five times during the qualifying campaign.

The German manager reacted to his absence, “This news is very sad. I feel very sorry for Timo personally because he really wanted to play in the World Cup. But Timo’s absence is a huge loss, especially for the team. We all wish him a speedy recovery ”.

2. Erling Haaland

Norwegian superstar and current Premier League top scorer is already in the top echelon of English Football. Since signing for Manchester City, he has 18 goals and 3 assists in 13 games for his club. He is also en route to breaking the all-time season top-scoring tally of 32 goals. It is currently held by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, set in the 2017/18 season. Having him available and fit for the rest of the season, post the World Cup would be key to Pep Guardiola's side future successes.

1. Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian icon and Adidas Global athlete will not be showcasing his talents in Qatar at the World Cup. Egypt failed to qualify after losing out to his former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane's Senegal 3-1, on penalties. He was the top goal-scorer and playmaker in the Premier League last season. Salah ended up winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Mohamed Salah will perhaps be the most talked about players missing from the World Cup 2022.