sport news World Cup XI of missing players: Haaland, Salah and Diaz make stunning team trends now
The World Cup in Qatar is progressing ever closer, with with best players across the globe set to congregate to compete for football's most prestigious prize in just a matter of months.
The first-ever winter edition of the tournament - moved to compensate for the searing Qatar heat - gets underway on November 21 and runs through to December 18, interrupting the domestic campaign mid-season.
The draw has taken place and the groups are cemented, but just 29 of the 32 nations are as of yet confirmed, with two to join from the inter-confederation play-off, and one of Wales, Scotland and Ukraine to book a spot from Europe.
The World Cup in Qatar gets underway on November 21 and runs through to December 18
A number of high-profile players will miss the tournament, particularly after Italy failed to qualify following a shock defeat to North Macedonia
While qualification still partially remains up in the air, what we do know is that a number of world class players will be absent from the tournament, particularly after Italy failed to qualify after losing to North Macedonia in the play-off semi-final.
There were also high-profile disappointments for the likes of Mohamed Salah's Egypt and Luis Diaz's Colombia.
With that in mind, Sportsmail takes you through the combined XI of the best players who missed out on a place at this year's World Cup.
GOALKEEPER - Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
The goalkeeper position is one of the hardest to pick in the XI, with Slovenian shot-stopper Jan Oblak also missing out on a place.
But after winning Player of the Tournament, saving two penalties in the final win over England, at Euro 2020, few would have anticipated a World Cup without Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The 23-year-old - who was recently awarded Ligue 1 goalkeeper of the season despite playing just 17 matches, rotating regularly with Keylor Navas - may feel partially responsible, however.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (centre) was one of Italy's best performers as they won Euro 2020
But he was perhaps at fault for North Macedonia's late winner in their play-off semi-final
After finishing second behind Switzerland in their World Cup qualifying group, Italy were drawn against North Macedonia at home in a play-off semi-final they were expected to win without too much trouble.
Roberto Mancini's side fell to a shocking 1-0 defeat, however, with Aleksandar Trajkovski's last-gasp strike sealing a famous victory.
Trajkovski struck it sweetly from outside the area, but Donnarumma will have been hugely disappointed not to get a hand on it and tip it round the post.
Still with his prime years ahead of him, Donnarumma can rest easy with plenty more opportunities will come.
RIGHT-BACK - Vladimir Coufal (Czech Republic)
Vladimir Coufal was somewhat of an unknown quantity when he signed for West Ham for £5.4million from Slavia Prague in 2020, but he's become an instrumental figure in a thriving Hammers side ever since.
The right-back, aside from a stint on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a groin injury, has been an ever-present in the Hammers backline, playing a key role as they reached the Europa League semi-finals.
Coufal also played a key role as West Ham pushed for an historic season, though eventually falling short both in their quest for a Europa League triumph and a top-six Premier League finish.
Czech Republic full-back Vladimir Coufal has emerged as a key player for club and country
It's not just in the Premier League where he has thrived, however; Coufal also played every minute of Czech Republic's impressive Euro 2020 campaign as they reached the quarter-finals, even beating the Netherlands in the last-16.
The Czech Republic finished third in their qualifying group and were subsequently drawn against Sweden in their play-off semi-final, a match Coufal missed due to his groin injury.
And his presence was certainly missed, as his side fell to a disappointing 1-0 loss.
CENTRE-BACK - Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)
Perhaps more than anyone, Giorgio Chiellini will have been desperate for Italy to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
The 37-year-old almost certainly won't get another opportunity to represent his country at a World Cup - most likely even a major tournament - with the formidable veteran coming to the end of his playing days.
Chiellini, Italy's captain, proved an immovable force as the Azzurri claimed a famous victory over England at Wembley at last year's European Championship final.
Captain Giorgio Chiellini played a key role as Italy claimed a historic Euro 2020 victory
It marked a phenomenal turnaround for the nation, who had previously failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Chiellini - who represented Italy at the 2010 and 2014 competitions - was unable to make it to a third tournament, however, as they suffered a shock home defeat North Macedonia.
It will have been a particularly painful one for Chiellini, who was unable to start the game having recently picked up a calf injury, brought on with 90 minutes on the clock.
CENTRE-BACK - Milan Skriniar (Slovakia)
Partnering the great Chiellini in defence is Milan Skriniar, a player who has been linked with the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool in recent seasons.
The 27-year-old played a pivotal role as Inter Milan won the Serie A title last season and has done so once more this year, with the Italian giants sat two points behind their fierce rivals AC Milan with a game to play.
He also played every minute of Slovakia's World Cup qualifying campaign, but he was unable to steer them towards a place in Qatar.
Slovakia's Milan Skriniar was unable to guide his country to a famous World Cup qualification
They finished third in their qualifying group, behind Croatia and Russia, the latter of which were subsequently removed from the tournament due to the country's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
They were set to meet Poland in the play-off semi-final, but they were instead given a bye, before beating Sweden in the final.
LEFT-BACK - David Alaba (Austria)
At left-back we have David Alaba, who could easily have slotted in at centre-back, where he typically plays for Real Madrid.
The 29-year-old is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in world football, switching from Bayern Munich to Madrid after winning 10 Bundesliga titles, two Champions Leagues and six German Cups.
He has continued to shine since making the switch to Spain, with Madrid set to take on Liverpool in the Champions League final having already wrapped up the La Liga title.
Defender David Alaba has won the Austria Footballer of the Year award on eight occasions
But his Austria side were knocked out by Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale, who scored a stunning double for Wales in their play-off semi-final
Alaba has also shone on the international stage, winning Austrian Footballer of the Year eight times.
Austria have never qualified for the World Cup during Alaba's career, however, and they missed out once again after falling short in the play-off semi-final, with a Gareth Bale double giving Wales a 2-1 win.
Alaba will be 33 by the time the 2026 World Cup comes around, and perhaps this year was the best chance he'll get, with Wales to play one of Ukraine or Scotland in the play-off final next month.
CENTRE-MID - Marco Verratti (Italy)
Marco Verratti is another star player set to miss out after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup.
The 29-year-old was one of the standout players for Italy in their Euro 2020 triumph and also performed admirably in their bitterly disappointing play-off defeat to North Macedonia.
Verratti wasn't quite the finished article we see today when Italy last made a World Cup in 2014, where he featured only twice as they bowed out in the group stages.
He's now recognised as one of the best central midfielders in world football and put in a truly sublime performance in their Champions League last-16 first-leg victory over Madrid in February.
