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World Cup news: Best XI of players who won’t be in Russia

By Kian Long

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SOLNA, SWEDEN – OCTOBER 07: Hüseyin Goçe, referee points to the penalty spot during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Sweden and Luxembourg at Friends Arena on October 7, 2017 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images)
SOLNA, SWEDEN – OCTOBER 07: Hüseyin Goçe, referee points to the penalty spot during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Sweden and Luxembourg at Friends Arena on October 7, 2017 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images) /

Many iconic faces will not feature in the Russia World Cup 2018

It’s the big one, it’s the one we’ve all been looking forward to. The World Cup is just months away, and if you’re like me, you have butterflies in your stomach at the shear thought of it. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for everyone (Well, burger vans and alcohol I mean). There are a number of iconic players who won’t be in the World Cup.

No matter the size of your country, no matter the talent you have to offer, the World Cup is the dream for every player and fan alike. During the international friendlies, you’re constantly analysing every player and wondering the best formation, lineup and game plan to head in to the qualifiers; you self-consciously become the manager.

For that reason, I decided to have a little fun and experiment using the players that could have featured, but unfortunately will not.

This post will run you through a team of 11 players who are set to miss out due to the poor performances of their national side. There are, of course, many more than the ones we have picked out in this team.

From the upset of the U.S.A national team, to a nightmare in South America, there are many promising stars that we thought would be in this worldwide event but aren’t. At the time of writing this, there are still a number of nationalities battling it out in the qualifying rounds, so for that reason I have dismissed them from my choices.

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