WON'T BE IN BRAZIL XI

WON'T BE IN BRAZIL XI

D. Ray Morton, 5th March 2014.

As we sit through another bunch of international friendlies this week, let's spare a thought for some of the great players that won't feature in the World Cup next summer which is now less than 100 days away. We've put together a starting XI and a subs bench of world class talent that, sadly, will not grace Brazil's pitches in June and July. Some players are left out because their nation simply weren't good enough to qualify and others won't be making it due to injuries, disputes or there being too much competition for a squad place.

Goalkeeper

Diego Lopez

Being Spanish and being Real Madrid's first choice goalkeeper would usually make you a dead cert for a place in La Furia Roja's World Cup squad but this might not be the case for poor Diego Lopez. Having managed to steal away Iker Casillas' starting spot at club level since joining from Sevilla in January last year, Lopez has been in great form but continues to be overlooked at international level. A one cap wonder, Lopez can't find his way into the Spanish squad with the aforementioned Casillas, Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina in his way. At 32, it's unlikely that Lopez will ever play in a World Cup match now.

Right-back

Branislav Ivanovic

Chelsea's powerful Serbian right-back won't be strutting his stuff in Brazil thanks to his nation's failure to qualify. Drawn in UEFA Qualification Group A, Serbia finished in third spot behind arch rivals Croatia and group winners Belgium. The Serbian team is a young one with many starting players under the age of 25. At 30, Ivanovic is one their senior players but will have to focus on the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers if he's ever to make a big impact at a major international tournament.

Centre backs

John Terry

Another from Chelsea, John Terry won't be at World Cup 2014 due to cutting his ties from the England national team after accumulating 78 caps since his debut in 2003. This is a great shame for Roy Hodgson's side because Terry has arguably been the best English centre-half in the Premier League this season. In his absence, England will have to settle for a likely partnership between Terry's Chelsea teammate Gary Cahill and Everton's Phil Jagielka.

Daniel Agger

Daniel Agger's Denmark found themselves in the extremely unfortunate role of being the worst runners up in all nine of the UEFA World Cup qualification groups when they finished behind Italy in Group B. That prevented the Danes from getting through the back door offered by the playoffs. Agger has had a fine season for Liverpool when not injured, the left-footed ball playing defender fitting in very well with Brendan Rodgers' system. At 29, Agger could yet play in the next World Cup which by then he'll be 33.

Left-back

David Alaba

Though he terrorised the Republic of Ireland during Austria's attempted qualification campaign, David Alaba won't be playing in the World Cup as Germany topped the group with Sweden coming in second. Alaba is an exceptional young full-back who can play in a variety of roles including as an attacking midfield playmaker. Though he plies his trade for Austria at international level, one imagines Alaba would walk into the German national team, his set of skills being so wide.

Right winger

Theo Walcott

One wonders whether Theo Walcott understood the extent of his injury when he made his smug little "2-0" jester after being carted off against Tottenham earlier this season. The grim reality of having a serious cruciate ligament injury was confirmed the next day and Arsenal's winger ended up with a bit of egg on his face. Right midfield could now be a problem position for England but perhaps they might be better off with someone who can operate defensively in Roy Hodgson's old-fashioned two banks of four. Walcott will be missed by England however because, ignoring his obvious tactical flaws, his pace is always an asset.

Central midfielders

Marek Hamsik

Silly hairstyle and silly tattoos aside, Marek Hamsik is an excellent midfield general and misses out on the World Cup due to his Slovakian nationality, one of Europe's smaller nations unlikely to feature at the big tournaments. Hamsik plays for Napoli to whom he has been very loyal despite the interest of some of Europe's biggest clubs. With very few weaknesses in his game and great positional adaptability, it's a shame we won't see him next summer.

Aaron Ramsey

Aaron Ramsey might never play in a World Cup simply because he's Welsh. Ryan Giggs, one of the most decorated players in the club game, suffered the same fate. Ramsey was sensational for Arsenal at the beginning of this campaign building up their early season title surge which is now beginning to fade away as the 23 year-old sits out an injury on the sidelines. Ramsey's development has taken some of the sheen off young Jack Wilshere who was seen as Arsenal and England's next big thing.

Left winger

Gareth Bale

Another Welshman and the world's most expensive player, Gareth Bale will not see World Cup action. His form has been steadily sensational this season for Real Madrid after shaking off some initial injury problems. Between La Liga and Champions League appearances, he has scored 14 goals and racked up 11 assists in 19 starts. Bale's sheer athleticism will be missed as the 9th best player in the world (Ballon d'Or 2013), will have to make do with watching the World Cup action on the telly.

Strikers

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's wonderful talents and his omission from the World Cup spectacle has already been discussed in detail here so naturally he's going to be featured in this XI. The 32 year-old has astonishingly scored 32 goals in 32 appearances between league and European matches this season for Paris St. Germain and the imposing target man might be the most entertaining footballer to watch in the global game right now. The giant Swede was incredibly unfortunate to miss out on the World Cup. His one man heroics were not enough to match the goals scored by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo who ultimately determined the Swedes' fate. If those later World Cup group matches drag on and get boring, just flick on a highlight reel of Zlatan's goals this season to cheer you up.

Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez, at 30, has been shunned by Argentine national coach Alejandro Sabella and will not play at the World Cup. This is a shame because since his move to Juventus, Tevez has rediscovered some of his best form chipping in with 15 goals and 7 assists from 30 starts in European and league football this term. Argentina can probably just about to afford leaving him out thanks to their riches in attack boasting forwards like Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain. However, if the South American side flatter to deceive in Brazil, questions will be asked as to why the relationship with Tevez broke down considering how much of an impact such a player can make.

Subs bench

Petr Cech

Maybe not rated as highly as he once was before his significant brain injury in 2006, Petr Cech is still a top class goalkeeper and won't be at the World Cup due to the Czech Republic's decline as an international force.

Mehdi Benatia

Roma's Moroccan centre half Mehdi Benatia has put in some great displays in Serie A this season to help his club's unlikely title push against the all-conquering Juventus. Unfortunately for him however, Morocco didn't make it to the World Cup as their status as one of north Africa's traditional powerhouses has slipped in recent years.

Arda Turan

Arda Turan, Atletico Madrid's bearded battler, has been superb this season but Turkey failed to cut the mustard and won't be going to Brazil. Versatile, technically sound and courageous, he will be missed at next summer's showcase event.

Francesco Totti

What can be said about Totti? Even at the age of 37, he is still arguably one of the best trequartistas in world football. Having retired from the international game years ago, his form for Roma this season has been so good that there has been a mild media campaign to try and get him into Cesare Prandelli's Italian World Cup squad.

Radamel Falcao

We didn't put Falcao in the starting XI because he's still holding on to a chance of making the Colombian World Cup team if he can shake off the cruciate ligament damage he did to himself only in January. It will require a miraculous recovery but his inclusion in their line-up can make them the difference between being dark horses and default South American also-rans.