'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Playing at the World Cup is a dream for all footballers. And why not, it's about representing your country at the most watched extravaganza after the Olympics with over 3 billion watching it worldwide!
The worst thing that could happen to a footballer is an injury. And if he/she gets injured right before a big tournament, it's even worse.
Here are 3 amazing footballers who are set to miss the World Cup because of an injury:
#4 Dani Alves
Brazil have been handed a huge blow as Dani Alves has been ruled out of the World Cup. The right-back was injured during Paris Saint-Germain's Coupe de France final vs Les Herbiers.
Alves has suffered a knee ligament injury according to reports and that could result in him missing up to 8-9 months of football. PSG will also be sweating on this as they will need to sign a replacement this summer.
Fagner, Danilo and Rafinha are expected to be his possible replacements in the Brazil squad. Marcos Rocha and Mariano are also good options but Tite is not a big fan of the two.
#3 Laurent Koscielny
Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out of the World Cup after he ruptured his Achilles tendon during Arsenal's match vs Atletico Madrid. The French defender is set to be out of action for 6 months.
This might have been the last World Cup for the Arsenal defender as he is already 32 years old. Koscielny's injury might be a blessing in disguise for France as this will give them a chance to take a young defender with them to Russia and give him enough exposure.
France will go to the World Cup Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane as their main central defenders. Kurt Zouma, Eliaquim Mangala, Mamadou Sakho and even Geoffrey Kondogbia are possible replacement for Koscielny.
#2 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was touted to be the worst signing of the summer by Liverpool when the season began. The Englishman started off on the wrong foot but has been brilliant since November.
He was well on course to make it to the World Cup with England but a knee ligament damage in Liverpool's win over AS Roma forced him to undergo a surgery. This means that he will be out of action for 9 months and eventually miss the World Cup and half of next season.
England have a lot of talents in their ranks and it will be interesting to see who replaces Chamberlain in the squad.
#1 Lars Stindl
Lars Stindl was one of the most important players for Germany at the Confederations Cup last year. The forward was in red-hot form for Borussia Mönchengladbach before he got injured.
Stindl suffered an ankle injury in Mönchengladbach's draw vs Schalke on April 29th and that is set to keep him out for 3 months. That means that he is set to miss the World Cup for sure.
It won't be a big blow for Germany as Thomas Muller was bound to be their #1 choice but Stindl could have been a brilliant back up to the Bayern Munich man.
