Salah and Haaland together, Liverpool has the best striker, Europe trembles

Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé, Benzema: the World Cup kicks off on Sunday in Qatar and the stars are already there. All of them? No, because between injuries, coaching decisions and the premature eliminations of several teams, some big names will be missing. From Gianluigi Donnarumma to Erling Haaland via Paul Pogba or Mohamed Salah, here is the ideal team of absentees.

Like his compatriots Marco Verratti and Jorginho, the Paris SG goalkeeper went down with the 'Nazionale' after a 1-0 defeat to minnows North Macedonia in the play-offs. For the second time in a row, Italy crashed out of the World Cup. "Annihilated," wrote young Chelsea defender Reece James on Twitter on 9 November. He officially withdrew from the World Cup on that date due to a knee injury suffered in mid-October.

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Two world champions among the absentees. Spain have become accustomed to doing without Ramos, who has not worn his country's jersey since March 2021. Kimpembe, meanwhile, was expected to defend the title won by Les Bleus in 2018 to the very end. He was even included in Didier Deschamps' initial list. But, not recovered from an Achilles tendon injury, he had to step down and leave his place to Alex Disasi.

Two of the world's most gifted midfielders are missing. Thiago Alcántara, who has often shone for Liverpool, has not convinced Luis Enrique to make room for him in a Spain side traditionally packed at centre-half. Pogba, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the tournament with knee and right thigh injuries. Without him and Kanté, the world champions' midfield will have to rebuild.

Salah and Haaland in the squad for the next World Cup

Egypt crashed out of qualifying for Qatar after a dreadful play-off against Senegal, who had already beaten them in the final of the last Africa Cup of Nations. Salah will therefore not be at the World Cup, while Senegal's Mané will be at the tournament, although a recent injury with Bayern Munich has left his participation in doubt.  Firmino, meanwhile, is paying for his limited involvement with Liverpool and, more importantly, Brazil's incredible attacking riches. Finally, Haaland failed to qualify for Norway, who have not participated in a World Cup since 1998.