10 Big Teams We Will Surely Miss In Russia 2018 -FiloPost

The World Cup tournament is one of the most anticipated events in the World where most players dream to show off their talents and most probably shoot their careers. Now that the qualifying stage for the World Cup has almost been completed with very few play offs left, those who made it are already making preparations while those who failed to qualify are still wondering what really went wrong.

As we brace up for the best men National football team competition in the World, let’s take a look at some teams that we won’t be seeing at the tournament next summer. In this article I will discuss 10 big teams that didn’t make the cut in no particular order.

Italy
No doubt the Azzurri are the first to be referenced, the 2006 World champion have failed to qualify for the competition for the first time since 1958. Italy was second to Spain in Group G of the first round of UEFA qualifying phase which was good enough for them to qualify for round 2 play offs. Unfortunately, the Italian who had participated in the tournament 18 times and had won it 4 times failed to qualify this time around. This was due to a goalless draw they played with Sweden at Milan after losing 1 – 0 to Sweden in the first leg of a 2 leg play off.

Some Newspapers in Italy reported that Italy not making it to the World Cup is like an Apocalypse and I can’t agree more. Although the Italian playing style is mostly defensive they are still a team to watch out for in a World cup competition. Some notable players in Italian National teams that will be missed in the tournament are Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) and Marco Veratti (PSG) etc.

Chile
The CONMEBOL champion and the first runner up in the just concluded Confederation cup in Russia won’t also be at the World Cup after failing to make the top 4 of a 10 team grouping in CONMEBOL qualifying phase. Chile who had appeared in the tournament 9 times was sixth in the group even though it was only a point difference between them and fourth placed Columbia. However some notable players in Chile National team that will be missed includes Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich) and Sanchez (Arsenal).

Netherlands
The Netherland Men’s football National team also called the Clockwork Orange or flying Dutchmen will also be missed in Russia 2018. They were the first runner up in South Africa 2010 and second runner up in Rio 2014. Netherland has appeared in the tournament 10 times but couldn’t make the second round of Europe qualifying phase. Even though they had the same point with Sweden who came second in Group A of the first round of UEFA qualifying phase they will be missing the tournament due to lesser goal difference. Some notable players in the Dutch national teams are Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich) and Robin Van Persie (Fenerbahce).

Ivory Coast
The Ivorian Elephants who were the 2015 CAF champion won’t also be in Russia. Ivory Coast who had appeared in the tournament 3 times failed to qualify this time around after coming second in the round 3 of CAF qualifying phase. Some notable players in the Ivory Coast National team that will surely be missed are Eric Bailly (Manchester United) and Serge Aurier (Tottenham).

USA
The CONCACAF champion will also be missing in Russia after failing to make the top 3 position in the round 5 of the CONCACAF qualifying phase. The US team who had appeared 10 times in the tournament came fifth in a 6 team grouping system with only 1 point between them and Panama who came third after an unexpected loss to Trinidad and Tobago. Some people said US didn’t make it because of their long time rivalry against the host, Russia Federation. Well, that’s on a lighter mood though. Some notable players in the US National team are Tim Howard (MLS) and Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), they will surely be missed at the tournament.



Wales
The 2016 UEFA Euro semi finalist in France will also be missing the tournament in Russia. Wales who had appeared in the tournament only once failed to qualify for the tournament next summer after coming third in Group D of the UEFA qualifying phase behind Serbia and Ireland who were first and second

To continue reading visit http://www.filopost.com/2017/11/sport/10-big-teams-we-will-surely-miss-in-russia-2018/

http://www.filopost.com/category/sport/

Indeed They'll All Be Missed!

Yeah, truly, they'll be missed but it's normal.
Some of these big teams and names will always not qualify because the world cup is not meant for all.

Not the first time, and can't be the last.