Upon us is the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will begin on November 20, 2022, and end in December 2022, with the final match scheduled to be played on the 18th of that same month. The anticipation for the World Cup is at its highest, with supporters of the various teams ready to cheer them on and place wagers on them, especially as sports betting has become a crucial part of the experience for many football fans all over the world. While the tournament is being played, markets for the upcoming World Cup are made available for fans who are ready to bet on their teams.
There will be some very notable footballers missing out on the World Cup, despite the attention being paid to the countries that are contesting and all the players that will be gracing the big stage in Qatar. Due to their inability to earn a spot in the tournament with their national teams, several top players will not be boarding the plane to Qatar. Here are some of those players.
Erling Haaland
With 18 goals in his first 12 Premier League games, the 22-year-old world-class attacker Haaland has made an incredible start to his first season with Manchester City. However, his national team Norway was unable to secure a place in the World Cup. Perhaps he will be able to feature at the next edition, although Norway will need to be at their best if they are ever to qualify.
N’Golo Kante
Chelsea has confirmed that Kante, who has not competed for either his club or his nation since August, will sit out the competition as he recovers from hamstring surgery. The World Cup, the Champions League, and the Premier League have all been won by Kante, who is recognized as one of the best and most decorated midfielders in the world. He was also crucial to France’s victory at the 2018 World Cup.
Mo Salah
Mohamed Salah is another name to be absent from this year’s competition, as he missed a penalty against Senegal in the shootout that ended Egypt’s hopes of going to the tournament this winter. Salah must wait another four years before he gets the opportunity to compete in the competition after an injury damaged his chances at the tournament in 2018.
Paul Pogba
Due to chronic issues with his right knee, Paul Pogba was forced to withdraw from the tournament. The 29-year-old was a key component of France’s World Cup victory in 2018, but he has not played a single game this year since his final official contest in April. Pogba tore his meniscus in July while Juventus was on a preseason tour of the United States. He had recently returned to the Italian club, following his stint at Manchester United.
Victor Osimhen
In the final round of the World Cup qualifications, Nigeria was defeated by Ghana due to away goals, which means the Super Eagles will not be attending the World Cup for the first time in the previous four tournaments and just the second time in the last eight. Napoli’s 23-year-old star striker Victor Osimhen must wait four years to compete in the World Cup.
