The recent international break saw a total of 13 countries qualify for the 2022 World Cup. And with the qualifying nations, a number of countries have dropped out as well. Others, similarly, are set up for the World Cup playoffs to be held next year.
In this article, we are looking at the line-up of the best players that have a chance at missing out on the 2022 World Cup, through the playoffs to be held in March. Here are the players:
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma
The player of the tournament this past summer in the Euros has to help Italy through the playoffs if they want to qualify for the tournament. Their draw to Northern Italy saw them miss out on the top spot in their group to Switzerland.
RWB: Achraf Hakimi
Hakimi is the biggest star to come out of the Morocco national team in recent years. They will be participating in the 2022 World Cup playoffs next March, and will have to win to book their ticket to the competition.
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly
The captain of the Senegal national team, Koulibaly has been praised as one of the world’s top centre-backs in recent years. Senegal have never qualified for the World Cup in consecutive editions and must win the playoffs to prove their worth next year.
CB: Giorgio Chiellini
After the masterclass that Chiellini produced this summer in Euros, it is unlikely that the captain of Italy would miss out on the 2022 World Cup. The 37-year-old will no doubt try his hardest to get the Azzurri to the world’s biggest footballing stage.
CB: David Alaba
Now featuring for Real Madrid, David Alaba is one of the best defenders on the planet. Unfortunately, Austria could not make it to second place in their group. But, they have been given a lifeline by achieving a good finish in the Nations League, which has included them in the playoffs.
LWB: Andy Robertson
Robertson is the captain of a Scotland team that has improved massively over the last few years. They are one of the seeded teams in the playoffs and have a fighting place to make it to Qatar next year.
CM: Jorginho
The Italian midfielder was highly influential during his country’s Euro 2020 campaign. He was also named the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2021. Also running for the Ballon d’Or award, Jorginho will be a big loss to the tournament if Italy don’t make it.
CM: Bruno Fernandes
While Bruno Fernandes performs a different role for Portugal than he does for Manchester United, he is one of the best-attacking midfielders in the world. Portugal are in the playoffs next year and will have to come up with a series of wins to earn their spot.
LW: Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo was visibly distraught when Portugal lost to Serbia and missed out on the top spot in their group. The captain of the national team will have to be relentless during the playoffs to help his country qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
ST: Robert Lewandowski
Poland finished in second place behind England. The Bayern Munich striker is arguably the best number 9 in the world and could miss out on the biggest tournament in football if the playoffs don’t go their way in March next year.
RW: Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian winger is one of the most in-form players in the world right now, and any team that has him can dream of winning. But, Salah will have to go all out in the playoffs to help his country make it to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
