sport news World Cup: Benzema, Pogba and Nkunku are NOT going - but who else makes the ... trends now
At the end of this week, football's biggest stars will come together to partake in the sport's biggest event; the World Cup.
Though, in unprecedented circumstances, this edition of the tournament will be played mid-way through a domestic season - leading to a number of star players to miss out through injury.
With some of football's biggest names sidelined for the World Cup, it only seems right to shine a light on the wealth of talent that unfortunately will not be in Qatar.
Here, Sportsmail takes you through our World Cup Injured XI which features a host of Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 talents.
France's Christopher Nkunku (r) has been ruled out the World Cup after picking up an injury
GOALKEEPER - KEPA ARRIZABALAGA (SPAIN)
Injuries are a cruel moment in any player's career, though the timing of Kepa's foot injury couldn't have been any worse for the Spanish goalkeeper.
Having lost his place in Chelsea's starting line-up in the previous two seasons, the Spaniard had finally worked his way back into first-team after impressing new boss Graham Potter.
He would've likely been included in Luis Enrique's 26-man squad - over Brentford's David Raya or Brighton's Robert Sanchez - but after his injury at Brighton last month, he'll have to wait until after the World Cup before making his return to the pitch.
Kepa Arrizabalaga had finally won his starting-spot back before picking up a knee injury
RIGHT BACK - REECE JAMES (ENGLAND)
Potentially the biggest loss to Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad selected for Qatar.
James was a shoo-in to be on the Three Lions' plane to the World Cup given his impressive performances at wing-back for Chelsea this year.
But after picking up a knee injury during their Champions League clash with AC Milan last month, his dreams were crushed.
It's a massive shame for James, who only has one appearance at a major competition for England to date. He played the full 90 minutes in their Euro 2020 group stage clash with Scotland but was not selected for the rest of the tournament.
Reece James was hopeful he'd recover in time but was left off England's 26-man squad-list
CENTRE BACK - PRESNEL KIMPEMBE (FRANCE)
After initially being named in Didier Deschamps' World Cup squad, the PSG defender was forced to withdraw after failing to recover from a hamstring injury.
It comes as a massive blow for the reigning champions who were forced to replace the experienced defender with Monaco's Axel Disasi - who is yet to earn his first cap for the senior squad.
Kimpembe did make a 15-minute cameo in PSG's 5-0 win over Auxerre on Sunday, but Deschamps feels that he's still not at the fitness levels required for a World Cup.
PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe has pulled out of the France squad with an injury
CENTRE BACK - WESLEY FOFANA (FRANCE)
Goodness me, do France have some depth at centre back.
Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano are three of the most promising defenders in the world, with Raphael Varane - included in the 26-man list despite a knock - a proven European performer too.
Chelsea's £70million summer signing Fofana is injured until December and was therefore ruled out, but chances are he would not have made it anyway given his country's strength in the position.
Wesley Fofana was ruled out injured for the World Cup but was unlikely to make the squad
LEFT BACK - BEN CHILWELL (ENGLAND)
Another huge setback for Gareth Southgate's plans out in Qatar.
Chilwell's injury leaves the England boss with just one recognised left-back in his squad, Manchester United's Luke Shaw, as they prepare to head into the tournament.
The 25-year-old saw his World Cup hopes shattered after limping off in the final moments of Chelsea's European clash with Dinamo Zagreb last month.
It came as a crushing blow to Chilwell's World Cup hopes and meant that his wait for a first appearance at a major international tournament goes on.
Ben Chilwell's wait to represent England at a major international competition will go on
CENTRE MIDFIELD - N'GOLO KANTE (FRANCE)
Didier Deschamps will be hoping that the absence of N'Golo Kante will not affect his side as much as it has affected Graham Potter's Chelsea.
The Blues have sorely missed their midfield general and it's likely that France will endure that same feeling at the 2022 World Cup.
His midfield combination with Pogba was crucial to their 2018 World Cup success and his loss through injury will prove a big miss.
