Shocking World Cup Snubs: List of Top Players Set to Miss 2022 World Cup

The World Cup is fast approaching, and some familiar names will miss out on the fun. Many of the world’s best players and some surprise players are all set to miss out on a tournament that boasts many stars and an extremely high level of footballing ability. Below is a list of top players set to miss out:

Anthony Martial – France

Anthony Martial is one of the most talented players in the world, with speed and skill that can’t be beaten. But he’s missed most of this season due to injuries, and he’s only managed three goals and two assists for Manchester United.

More than that is needed for Les Bleus’ coach Didier Deschamps to include him in their World Cup squad. He left him out in favor of Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud, who has performed better than Martial this season.

Pedro Neto – Portugal

Neto will miss the World Cup after undergoing surgery on his ankle. He missed the first half of the Premier League season with a foot injury before being sidelined for the rest of the campaign with an ankle problem.

Neto has been included in Portugal’s provisional squad but is unlikely to play at this summer’s tournament.

Phillipe Countinho – Brazil

Brazil’s star player will not appear at the 2022 World Cup. The attacking midfielder has been ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury, and he will have to watch from home as his countrymen try to defend their title as world champions.

Philippe Coutinho fell down the pecking order at Villa Park when new manager Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard. With the talent available for Tite, the former Liverpool star could not find time on the pitch and got injured in training shortly after that.

Douglas Luiz – Brazil

Douglas Luiz has been left out of Brazil’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup by coach Tite. The Aston Villa midfielder has played a role in their improved form in the Premier League this season, but he did not cut the tournament in Qatar.

Since joining from Manchester City, the 24-year-old has made an impression at Villa Park and is considered one of their most important players.

Gabriel Magalhaes – Brazil

Gabriel Magalhaes will not be playing at the 2022 World Cup. The Brazilian will not join his teammates in Qatar, as he was left out of the Brazilian squad. Magalhaes had a sensational start to the season with Arsenal, but he became victim to Thiago Silva and his backline mates.

The 26-year-old had appeared 18 times for his club in this year’s competition, but he didn’t impact the pitch much.

Joel Matip – Cameroon

Cameroon’s Joel Matip is the most surprising snub from the top players set to miss the 2022 World Cup. The defender hasn’t played for Cameroon since 2015. Moreover, he has been reluctant to return since he was left out of their squad for the World Cup in Russia.

Matip’s absence comes from a disagreement with Cameroon’s Football Federation president Samuel Et’oo, who he believes turned down his request to rejoin him in the World Cup squad.