World Cup absentees Players who will miss Russia 2018 major doubts

World Cup absentees: Players who will miss Russia 2018 & major doubts

PerusPaolo Guerrerolooks almost certain to miss the World Cup after seeing his doping ban extended to 14 months by Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). FIFPro are in the process of appealing to FIFA that he should be allowed to play, however, having previously tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

Laurent Koscielnywent down in excruciating pain during Arsenals Europa League semi-final second-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid after appearing to lose his footing and the club later confirmed thatthe defender had suffered a torn Achilles tendon. Unfortunately for Koscielny that means his chances of going to Russia as part of the France contingent this summer are now gone and he faces a number of months in recovery.

Dimitri Payethad a memorable Euro 2016 but hes going to be watching from the sidelines for Russia 2018 after picking up a hamstring injury in the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid. The former West Ham United attacker limped off in tears in the first half to end his chances of a call-up from Deschamps, having forced his way into contention with his star performances for Marseille.

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Dani Carvajalwill endure more heartbreak after an injury in a Champions League final ruled him out of a second successive major international tournament. The Real Madrid full-back missed Euro 2016 after being injured in the final against Atletico Madrid andhe suffered a hamstring injury against Liverpool in Kievto force him out of the World Cup.

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WhileManuel Neuerhas beennamed in Germanys provisional squad, the Bayern Munich keeper will be assessed further before Joachim Low makes his final call on the 23 players who will feature in Russia. Low said at a press conference on May 15: We want to see for ourselves if Manuel Neuer is fit, we have a chance to see and assess him. And after the training camp we want to talk fair and square.

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As well as that, personality clashes, bans and other issues can end up preventing players from taking part.

Mohamed Salahis a concern for Egypts World Cup squadafter suffering a shoulder injury in Liverpools Champions League final against Real Madrid. The forward left the pitch in tears in the first half in Kiev after being hauled to the ground by Sergio Ramos.

Fernando Gagowas part of the Argentina squad that finished runners-up at the 2014 World Cupbut he did not make Jorge Sampaolis final 23 for Russia 2018. Now playing for Boca Juniors and aged 31, the former Real Madrid midfielder suffered a serious knee injury towards the end of 2017 and has thus been left out of the squad. Other notable absentees are Serie A top scorerMauro Icardi, who was cut from the 35-man shortlist, while Man Utd goalkeeperSergio Romerohas been ruled out through a knee injury.

More players will undoubtedly join the aforementioned, particularly those who are considered major doubts to make the plane to Russia (see below), and we will keep you updated.

England will definitely have to make do without the services of Liverpool midfielderAlex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whosuffered a knee ligament injuryin the Reds Champions League semi-final first leg victory over Roma. The former Arsenal star sustained the injury while making a tackle and it comes as a major blow to both the player and Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

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France are hoping to claim their second world title when they compete in Russia this summer but one man who is almost certain not to be part of that journey isKarim Benzema, who has not featured for his country since October 2015. The Real Madrid star does not hold much hope for the prospect of a recall ahead of the World Cup though, explaining his view that he will not be picked as long as Didier Deschamps is head coach.

The 2018 World Cup is just a month away and national team bosses are beginning to figure out and finalise the best possible squads to bring to Russia.

No footballer – not even the best – is completely invulnerable and sometimes fate can deliver cruel blows to individuals whose talents deserve to be showcased on the world stage. That is simply an unfortunate hazard of the profession.

Brazil are one of the favourites to win the tournament, but they will have to make do without marauding full-backDani Alves, whopicked up a knee injury during the Coupe de France finaland will instead spend the summer recovering ahead of Paris Saint-Germains 2018-19 campaign.

Germany boss Joachim Low has a massive pool of talent to draw from, but two potential additions to his World Cup panel have been ruled out. Bayern Munich wingerSerge Gnabry, who is on loan at Hoffenheim, has been laid low with a groin injury, while Borussia Monchengladbach captainLars Stindl, who played a key role in the 2017 Confederations Cup win, has suffered a serious ankle injury.

The likes of Javier Pastore, Angel Correa and Carlos Tevez, meanwhile, were also omitted from the preliminary squad and will play no part in Russia.

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There had been vague suggestions – encouraged by the man himself – thatZlatan Ibrahimoviccould potentially make a return to the Sweden set-up for the World Cup, but the Swedish FA chief, Lars Richt, hasruled outany such possibility.

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BothJack WilshereandJoe Harthave also been excluded from the squad, with Southgate preferring to take Nick Pope instead of the experienced West Ham shot-stopper who has been having a terribly lukewarm season in East London.

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Five-time winners Brazil head to the tournament as one of the favourites but one of their star players finds himself in a desperate race to recover full fitness in time for the kick-off.Neymarunderwent surgery on his foot in March after suffering a fractured metatarsal and a sprained ankle while playing for Paris Saint-Germain. The expectation is, however, thathell be ready to feature for his country in their warm-up clash with Croatia on June 3.

DespiteMichy Batshuayis domestic season ending prematurely due to an ankle injury, he has madeBelgiums World Cup squad wich was announced on May 21.

Iceland will be taking part in the World Cup for the first time in their history and Everton midfielderGylfi Sigurdssonwill be involved. A knee ligament injury in March had cast serious doubts over his availability for the tournament in June but he was named as part of manager Heimir Hallgrimssons squad and looks all set to ready to feature in Russia.

As 32 teams get set for the big kick-off in June,Goalcasts an eye over those stars who are major doubts for the World Cup as well as those who have been ruled out completely.

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In the coming weeks they will be paying close attention to the health of their players because, with plenty of football to be played, injuries will happen, which can throw their plans into disarray.

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Germany could have been forced into a defensive reshuffle following the news ofJerome Boatengs thigh injury, which has brought his domestic season to a premature end. The Bayern Munich centre-back had been expected to be out of action for between four and six weeks but hehas been included in his countrys provisional squadand appears likely to be ready for Russia.

He will be joined on the sidelines by club-mateJoe Gomez, who had forced himself into contention, and even earned a Man of the Match award during the Three Lions draw with Brazil having kept Neymar quiet.Ankle surgery, however, has ended his hopes of heading to Russia.

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Meanwhile, Bayern Munich strikerSandro Wagnerfelt aggrieved to have missed out on a spotand World Cup winnerMario Gotzealso failed to make the cut.

The question of which players are definitely out of the 2018 World Cup will yield a much clearer answer as we get closer to the tournament in June, with coaches generally keen to give their playing pool the best possible chance of making the final cut. However, the cases of some players missing out are understood, if not officially communicated.