Missing XI: A Team of Players Who Were Not Picked to Play at the 2018 World Cup

The World Cup is almost upon us, with less than a month to go, and almost all the national teams that are in the tournament have picked the squads they will be going to Russia with. As is always the case, there were some high profile players that are missing from the tournament.

Here is a list of 11 players who would be disappointed they aren't going.

1. Joe Hart

Looking at the goalkeepers that were picked by England manager Gareth Southgate, Joe Hart would be disappointed he did not get a call up, at least based on the experience he has on the international stage. However, his form has been inconsistent, to put it mildly, and even lost his place in the West Ham United side, which may have played a part in him missing the final England squad. 

2. Dani Alves

Brazilian defender Dani Alves will miss the World Cup thanks to a knee injury that he suffered in Paris Saint-Germain's game against Les Herbiers in the French Cup final. Alves was sure to be picked for what would have been his last World Cup of his career, but will now have to watch it from the sidelines after it was ruled out he won't be fit in time to make a difference in the competition.

3. Aymeric Laporte

Manchester City broke their club's transfer record when they signed Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao but France manager Didier Deschamps saw differently and decided to not give the defender a place in the squad. In fact, the 23-year-old has not had a single cap for the national team yet, despite having captained all the junior sides and even briefly entertained the option of getting Spanish citizenship.

4. Laurent Koscielny

The Frenchman was a name that would have definitely featured even in the surprising squad that Deschamps picked for the World Cup, but injury in the Europa League game against Atletico Madrid put paid those hopes. Koscielny has now been ruled out for six months, and he will have lost his chance to play in his final World Cup.

5. Alex Sandro

The Brazilian left-back Alex Sandro did not make it to the 23 man squad for the World Cup, having lost his place to Marcelo and Filipe Luis. Sandro is in the same mould as Marcelo and so the manager would not have seen the merit in going with two similar types of players and instead would have chosen the more defensive-minded Luis to make the trip to Russia.

6. Mario Gotze

The German provisional squad that was announced by manager Joachim Low didn't have any surprises but Mario Gotze will not make the trip to Russia. Gotze, who was the hero of Germany's world cup triumph in 2014 when he scored the winning goal in extra time, had yet another below-par club season and did not do enough to warrant a place in the squad.

7. Jack Wilshere

One of the surprise omissions of the England squad was Jack Wilshere. With a midfield that is lacking in creativity, Gareth Southgate could have used the intelligent midfielder's skills in unlocking defences. However, Wilshere is perenially prone to injury and while this season has been different in that aspect, he didn't have a big impact on Arsenal's season and so got the axe for the World Cup.

8. Dimitri Payet

Another Frenchman who will lose his chance to play in his final World Cup is midfielder Dimitri Payet. Payet had a great season for Marseille but suffered a serious injury in the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid. He went off the pitch in tears, knowing that he may never get a chance to play in the tournament again. 

9. Javier Pastore

It is not a big surprise that Javier Pastore did not even make it to the Argentina provisional squad, especially as he has not featured all that much for his club Paris Saint-Germaine after losing manager Unai Emery's trust having returned late from the winter break. Argentina, however, may not miss him all that much considering they have an embarrassment of riches in the midfield.

10. Alexandre Lacazette

Another team that seems to have an embarrassment of riches in one area of the team is France and their forward line. Alexandre Lacazette was a surprise omission from manager Deschamps, who had a lot of options to consider while naming his forwards. Lacazette hasn't had the most productive season with Arsenal and him and Anthony Martial couldn't find a place in the squad.  

11. Anthony Martial

Another Frenchman to have missed the World Cup squad was Manchester United forward Anthony Martial. Martial's form dipped somewhat since the arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal and that seems to have played against the player while being considered for the World Cup. However, Martial is still very young and has a few more World Cups to play, so he need not be all that disappointed with the snub.