Qatar 2022 Absent XI

After more teams are dumped out of World Cup qualification ahead of Qatar 2022 later this year, there’s a number of Nations players that now won’t be featuring in football’s greatest tournament. Total Football Analysis brings you a starting XI of the best players who are missing out - and will instead be watching the World Cup on their televisions at home… The Starting XI To make our selections, TFA will be using Marcelo Bielsa’s 3-4-3 formation used in his time in charge of Argentina where he won Olympic Gold. Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma - Italy Following his controversial move on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain that angered AC Milan fans, Gianluigi Donnarumma has struggled to make an impact, having just 12 appearances in cup competitions. Despite this, he comfortably remains No.1 for his country and is an ever-present for Italy after 42 appearances at just 23 years old. Touted to become one of the best goalkeepers of a generation, Donnarumma is certainly the pick of the goalkeepers who will be watching on from the sidelines this World Cup. With the European Champions failing to qualify, will the remaining European contingent step up? Place a £10 bet on any European nation and receive £50 in Free Bets. Defence: David Alaba - Austria; Victor Lindelöf - Sweden; Giorgio Chiellini - Italy In defence, exits to Austria, Sweden, and Italy have ensured that some of Europe’s top defenders won’t be present in Qatar. After his switch from Munich to Madrid in the summer, Real Madrid’s David Alaba was unable to guide his country through the European Play-Offs and into the World Cup after a tough Group Stage. The versatile defender can play anywhere across the backline in both centre back and full back. Another leading figure in his country’s qualification efforts is Manchester United’s Victor Lindelöf. Despite his struggles for his club, Lindelöf has been a stalwart for his nation and is a leading figure in a Sweden team that has impressed in recent tournaments - meaning their failure to qualify is a slight surprise. The final addition to our backline is Italian football legend Giorgio Chiellini. He was initially fighting a race for selection as the Azzurri have recently promoted youth prospects to the first team as the old guard begins to bow out. Defeat to North Macedonia however has left Chiellini’s Italy team ‘destroyed and crushed’, and it’s almost certain that we won’t see Giorgio Chiellini appear in another World Cup. Can Chiellini put World Cup disappointment behind him and lead Juventus to Serie A glory? Bet £10 on any outright market and get £50 in Free Bets. Midfield: Hakan Calhanoglu - Turkey; Jorginho - Italy; Marco Verratti - Italy; Dejan Kulusevski - Sweden In the heart of the TFA midfield, perhaps two of the current most notable Italian names given their form for their club sides are Chelsea’s Jorginho and PSG’s Marco Verratti. Jorginho was on track for Ballon d’Or winning form prior to his Azzurri disappointment, whilst Verratti has been an ever-present for French champions PSG, controlling the midfield in a glittering domestic career. On either side of the middle two are Turkey’s set-piece maestro Hakan Calhanoglu, and Spurs’ new hit loanee signing Dejan Kulusevski. Calhanoglu has rejuvenated his career in Italy at Inter Milan, becoming an increasingly influential figure after travelling between various clubs in leagues across Europe. Meanwhile, Kulusevski continues to impress following his loan from Juventus scoring twice from the wing, including in a win over Manchester City. Missing out on qualification for Qatar means Kulusevski will have to wait to showcase his talent on the world's biggest stage. Kulusevski to return to scoring form after World Cup disappointment? Get £50 in Free Bets when you wager £10 on Kulusevski to score with bet365. Forward: Lorenzo Insigne - Italy; Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Sweden; Mohammed Salah - Egypt Leading the front three in the TFA lineup is AC Milan maverick, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Injuries have hampered the 40-year-old forward, whose career simply does not ever look like ending, as AC Milan mount a challenge for the Serie A title after city rivals Inter’s success the previous season. Despite his injury issues, Ibrahimovic has contributed eight goals and two assists in a stop-start season and is showing that class really is permanent. To his left, the final addition from the Italian side surrounded in disappointment is Napoli’s outbound captain Lorenzo Insigne. The 31-year-old, who has signed a pre-contract to join MLS side Toronto FC, has scored seven goals and recorded six assists so far this season, yet failed to make an impact for his country. As Italy boss Roberto Mancini continues to ring the changes despite his position being in the balance, at 31 years old and with a move to MLS on the cards, there is no guarantee that we will see Lorenzo Insigne appear at another World Cup. Possibly the heartbreak story of World Cup qualification so far is Mohammed Salah’s Egypt side falling to penalties against AFCON champions and fellow Liverpool FC teammate Sadio Mane’s Senegal side. Salah was remembered for his efforts in the last World Cup in Russia 2018 after succeeding in a race against time to make the tournament following his infamous injury at the hands of Sergio Ramos in the preceding Champions League final. With 20 goals and 10 assists in 27 games, Mo Salah deservedly takes the last spot in our TFA XI and can count himself unfortunate to be missing out on the 2022 Qatar World Cup. With a return to club action this weekend, can Mo Salah hit the ground running after World Cup devastation? £10 on Mo Salah to score a hattrick this weekend is rewarded with £50 in Free Bets.

Qatar 2022 Absent XI

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Qatar 2022 Absent XI

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