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While most of the big names in world football made the cut for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, there were a few stars that missed out on qualification, and will be missing from the sport’s biggest event in Brazil next year.
Here is a team of players who will not be on a plane to Brazil, but together could have won the World Cup.
Petr Cech, Czech Republic (GK)
The Chelsea custodian conceded only 9 goals for Czech Republic in their 10 qualifying matches, but a lack of goals for the side upfront saw them crash out of the competition after coming third in Group B of European qualifying.
Neven Subotic, Serbia (CB)
The Bosnia-born Serbian-American footballer was a key figure for his side during World Cup qualifying, but a lack of wins away from home meant that the defender and his team finished third in their group.
Daniel Agger, Denmark (CB)
Denmark captain Daniel Agger helped his side finish runners-up in Group B, but the Danes missed out on a playoff berth for having the lowest points of the nine second-placed teams in European qualifying. However, the defender had a profitable campaign, scoring four goals from the back for his country.
David Alaba, Austria (LB)
Austria ran Sweden close in the race for second spot in Group C, but eventually fell three points behind, meaning that the Bayern Munich defender missed out on joining his club teammates in Brazil despite scoring an incredible six goals through qualifying from left-back.
Branislav Ivanovic, Serbia (RB)
Like Subotic, Ivanovic was a central figure for Serbia through their campaign, but couldn’t help his side claim their third successive World Cup finals berth.
Arda Turan, Turkey (CM)
In a close-fought Group D, Arda Turan’s Turkey side missed out on a qualifying berth due to unimpressive home performances against fellow competitors Romania and Hungary, finishing in fourth place, three points behind runners-up Romania.
Marek Hamsik, Slovakia (CM)
12 points behind second-placed Greece in Group G, Slovakia never really looked in contention for a World Cup spot, as Hamsik could not inspire his team to a second successive World Cup spot.
Gareth Bale, Wales (LM)
Real Madrid’s world-record summer signing Gareth Bale scored four goals and notched up a few more assists during European World Cup qualifying, but his efforts weren’t enough to help a struggling Wales side qualify for Brazil, as they finished fifth out of six teams in Group A.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Armenia (RM)
Much like Bale, Mkhitaryan played in an Armenia team devoid of too many other established names, and saw his side only manage fifth place in Group B of European qualifying.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden (ST)
He came close, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic was not able to carry his Sweden team past Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Portugal outfit, crashing out in the playoffs despite scoring two goals in the knockout tie.
Robert Lewandowski, Poland (ST)
Co-hosts of the 2012 Euros, Poland paid the price for indifferent performances at home during World Cup qualifying, as Lewandowski’s goals weren’t enough to get them one of the two spots in Group H that would have given them a chance of reaching Brazil.
