Ten quality international teams that have failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

The qualification process for this year’s World Cup finals have thrown up a number of twists and turns.

By Mark Carruthers
1st Apr 2022, 2:11pm

Several major countries have missed out on a place in Qatar and a number of star players will be forced to watch on from afar as the likes of Brazil, Argentina, France and England compete at the finals later this year.

More eye-catching names will be added by the time the tournament gets underway in November with either Scotland or Wales set to miss out and Australia must navigate a tricky-looking play-off scenario with the UAE and Peru.

But headlining the list of unfortunate countries that have missed out are a four-time winner of the tournament and three former beaten finalists.

Their squads contain some of world football’s greatest names including one of the most in-form strikers in the European game, one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards and one of the world’s most consistent reliable goalkeepers.

With the World Cup Finals draw set to take place in Doha this afternoon, National World takes a look at ten notable absentees from this year’s tournament.

Even having one of the hottest properties in world football has not helped Norway reach this year’s finals. Erling Haaland’s side finished behind Netherlands and Turkey in third place in Group G of the UEFA qualification stage.

1. Norway (FIFA Ranking - 41)

Even having one of the hottest properties in world football has not helped Norway reach this year’s finals. Erling Haaland’s side finished behind Netherlands and Turkey in third place in Group G of the UEFA qualification stage. Photo: NTB/AFP via Getty Images

Hungary had high hopes of progressing to a first World Cup Finals since 1986 after their promising showing facing the likes of Germany and France at Euro 2020. But a fourth placed finish in a qualifying group led by England means they will watch on from afar this winter.

2. Hungary (FIFA Ranking - 40)

Hungary had high hopes of progressing to a first World Cup Finals since 1986 after their promising showing facing the likes of Germany and France at Euro 2020. But a fourth placed finish in a qualifying group led by England means they will watch on from afar this winter. Photo: PA

Austria were another side that showed promise at Euro 2020 after an extra-time defeat in their round of 16 meeting with eventual winners Austria. But they missed out on a place in Qatar after suffering a play-off semi-final defeat in Wales last month.

3. Austria (FIFA Ranking - 34)

Austria were another side that showed promise at Euro 2020 after an extra-time defeat in their round of 16 meeting with eventual winners Austria. But they missed out on a place in Qatar after suffering a play-off semi-final defeat in Wales last month. Photo: Getty Images

The Czechs reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 - but any hopes of a similar run at this year’s World Cup Finals were ended by a 1-0 defeat to Sweden in a play-off semi-final last week.

4. Czech Republic (FIFA Ranking - 33)

The Czechs reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 - but any hopes of a similar run at this year’s World Cup Finals were ended by a 1-0 defeat to Sweden in a play-off semi-final last week. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

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