Manchester United & Liverpool players feature in 24-man list of FIFA World Cup absentees

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By Martin Graham | 20th Jun 2022

Due to the timing of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, players all around Europe will have the opportunity to prove to their international managers that they deserve a place in their national team squads. However, there are some players that would almost definitely not have that opportunity and will miss the showpiece, all things being equal.

Surprisingly, two of the biggest clubs in England and in the world have their players featured most prominently in a list of players who will be absent from the Mundial in Qatar come November/December – Manchester United and Liverpool. This list is a list of players who, despite their status in club football, will not play at the World Cup as a result of their home countries failing to qualify for the tournament.

New Manchester City signing Erling Haaland will not be a part of the World Cup despite being one of the brightest young players and one of the most potent strikers today. The forward who pledges allegiance to Norway despite being born in England and being eligible to play for the Three Lions, could not do much to help his team as they fell short in the qualifying rounds.

Other City players like Oleksandr Zincheko and Riyad Mahrez will also not be on the roll call of talent that will be showcased on the global stage. The Algerian also failed to inspire his country as they fell short to a resolute Cameroonian side in the African World Cup playoffs while the Ukrainian and his teammates fought hard despite their unfortunate situation and won our hearts but ultimately fell short to a Gareth Bale-inspired Wales team.

Manchester United could benefit from having five stars out of the World Cup

New manager of Manchester United Erik ten Hag could relish the opportunity of having five players out of the tournament. The Dutch manager will no doubt appreciate having a bolstered squad with some of his players watching from home.

The Swedish duo of Anthony Elanga and Victor Lindelof will not be a part of the World Cup after getting knocked out in the playoff stage. Eric Bailly and Amad Diallo – who could both be on their way out of the club, all things being considered – will also sit at home after Cote d’Ivoire fell short. Scotsman Scott Mctominay is also billed to watch from home too.

Liverpool will also have a bit of relief as some of their stars will not be a part of the World Cup. Egyptian Talisman Mohammed Salah will not be present, as well as Colombia’s Luis Diaz, Scotland’s Andy Robertson and Greece’s Kostas Tsmikas.

Chelsea also have a few absentees as players like Billy Gilmour (Scotland) and the Italian duo of Jorginho and Emerson Palmeri.