Alexis Sanchez, Sane & 26 stars watching the World Cup from home

Failure to qualify, untimely injuries and unfortunate snubs mean some of the finest talent on the planet will be absent from a Russian showpiece

• Getty Images
  

  Table of Contents

  Toggle

  Alexis Sanchez

  The Manchester United forward can focus his full attention of rediscovering his best form at club level this summer following the shock failure of Chile – the 2015 and 2016 Copa America champions – to qualify for Russia 2018.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Christian Pulisic

  The bright, young hope of American soccer, and a man very much in demand on the back of his showings for Borussia Dortmund, but a 19-year-old talent who crashed and burned as part of a troubled United States side in qualifying.

• Gareth Bale

  He may have lit up the Champions League final with a stunning two-goal showing off the bench, and helped Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, but the Real Madrid star has been denied a global shop window in which to showcase his ability ahead of a possible summer transfer.

• Getty Images
  

  Anthony Martial

  There was always the threat that a lack of regular starts at Manchester United would cost the 22-year-old dear in World Cup year, and so it proved as France boss Didier Deschamps opted to call upon others from an enviable pool of attacking talent.