FIFA World Cup 2022: Big names missing from Qatar 2022

FIFA World Cup 2022 is surely going to be a star studded tournament with massive names associated with football with be playing for the opportunity for crowned as World champions. Yet many famous players miss out on the chance of traveling to Qatar later this year for biggest football tournament among all.

Here is a list of players who are not going appear in FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar:

Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy):

Donnarumma saved two penalties against England and was named the Player of the Tournament as Italy won Euro 2020 last summer. But the PSG goalkeeper will have to wait until at least 2026 if he's going to follow in Gianluigi Buffon's footsteps and lift the World Cup.

The 23-year-old was a bystander for most of Italy's World Cup playoff semi-final against North Macedonia but was criticised for failing to prevent Aleksandar Trajkovski's late winner.

Georgio Chiellini(Italy):

One of the greatest centre-backs of his generation, Chiellini lifted the European Championship trophy as Italy captain last summer. But he'll only have the TV remote in his hands in December as Italy missed out on consecutive World Cups for the first time in their history.

The 37-year-old, who sits joint fifth in Italy's all-time appearance chart, is reportedly set to retire from international football in the wake of their embarrassing defeat.

Mohammed Salah(Egypt):

Salah is arguably one of the best players on the planet right now, but we are not going to be able to enjoy him in Qatar. In a heartbreaking face-off against his Liverpool teammate, Senegalese Sadio Mané, Mo and Egypt said goodbye to the World Cup dream on penalty kicks. Salah himself contributed to the debacle by sending his shot over the bar.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden):

If you were expecting some sort of last dance for Zlatan, we are sorry to say that Sweden didn't qualify for Qatar. Already with 40 years on his shoulders, it's very difficult to imagine Ibrahimović pushing for a World Cup at 44, in 2026.

David Alaba (Austria):

Alaba is widely regarded as one of the greatest players Austria have ever produced and was hoping to take them to their first World Cup since 1998. Despite finishing fourth in Group F, they reached the play-off semi-final due to their performances in the Nations League and were drawn against Gareth Bale's Wales.

Jorginho (Italy):

Jorginho enjoyed a brilliant 2021, winning the Champions League, the Euros and the UEFA Super Cup before finishing third in the Ballon d'Or rankings.

But the midfielder still had some difficult moments as he missed a penalty in both of Italy's draws against Switzerland in the World Cup qualifiers.

If he found the back of the net either home or away, Roberto Mancini's side would have taken top spot in their group and qualified for the World Cup.

Martin Odegaard (Norway):

After struggling for opportunities at Real Madrid, Odegaard is now fulfilling his potential with Arsenal and has been one of their standout performers this season.

The 23-year-old was also appointed Norway captain in 2021 and had aimed to help his country qualify for a major international tournament for the first time since Euro 2000.

But Stale Solbakken's side finished third in Group G behind the Netherlands and Turkey and their players will have to watch from home.

Erling Haaland (Norway):

Haaland has become one of world football's most sought-after players but will have to wait for the chance to showcase his skills at a World Cup.

The Borussia Dortmund striker, who was born a few days after the end of Euro 2000, managed to score five goals in six World Cup qualifiers for Norway.

But he missed their final four World Cup qualifiers due to injury problems and Norway picked up just five points from a possible 12 in those games.

Luis Diaz (Columbia):

Diaz shot to prominence at the Copa America last summer, scoring four goals in five appearances and helping Colombia to a third-place finish. But the winger, who recently joined Liverpool in a £37million deal, won't be able to build on those promising performances at the 2022 World Cup.

After Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay secured South America's four automatic spots at the FIFA World Cup 2022, Colombia hoped to finish fifth and qualify via the playoffs but Peru beat them to it.

Victor Oshimhen (Nigeria):

It will be sad not to see the always cool Nigerian jerseys in Qatar, but it will be worse not being able to appreciate the talent of striker Victor Osimhen. The Super Eagles couldn't eke one out against Ghana and will have to try again in 2026.