The Best Eleven who will not be at the 2014 World Cup

It is the ultimate dream of every footballer to play in the World Cup and when the World Cup is going to take place in the abode of football, it becomes extra special. However some of the best players in world football will not take part in next year’s quadrennial showpiece. Let us take a look at the biggest names who will not be present at the 2014 World Cup.

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech, Czech Republic and Chelsea
Chelsea’s stalwart will not be adding to his 105 caps for Czech Republic this summer but, at 31, Cech should not give up hope of featuring in Russia 2018. The Chelsea stopper may be reaching the twilight of his career but he remains one of the best keepers in the world.

Left-Back: David Alaba, Austria and Bayern Munich

At the moment, David Alaba is one of the most promising talents European football has to offer and arguably the best left back in the world. Alaba has been unable to replicate the success he has enjoyed with his club Bayern Munich at the international level. Despite his six goals, Austria fell short in their quest to reach Brazil next year after finishing third in their group behind Germany and Sweden.

Centre-Back: Neven Subotic, Serbia and Borussia Dortmund

Alongside Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic is part of a Borussia Dortmund central defensive partnership that has played a major role in the club’s title wins and European runs of recent seasons. Just 24 years old, Subotic has a wealth of experience to his name at the highest levels of European football and while lacking in pace, he compensates with unerring reliability and positioning in the defensive aspects of his role.

Centre-Back: Mehdi Benatia, Morocco and AS Roma

Mehdi Benatia may be the most unfamiliar name in this list but he has a very high reputation in Italian Serie A and is the best central defender this season in Italian football. Formerly of Udinese and now a key member of the emerging Roma side, Benatia, though not the quickest around, but his positioning, anticipation and physicality set him apart in Serie A at the moment.

Right-Back: Lucas Piszczek, Poland and Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund’s marauding full-back, the Pole loves to gallop forward and is great in doing so. Poland failed to get out of the group with England successfully and it’s a shame we will not see this man’s bursting runs forward in Brazil

Central Midfielder: Marek Hamsik, Slovakia and Napoli

Napoli stalwart Hamsik is most definitely the name that catches the eye when scanning the Slovakia squad. Hamsik has attracted a lot of attention across Europe and is another high profile name that will be missing out on the World Cup in 2014. Despite finishing a respectful third place in Group G, the Slovakians were a gaping 12 points adrift of a second place finish which would have seen them progress to the play-offs.

Central Midfielder: Aaron Ramsey, Wales and Arsenal

Aaron Ramsey has been Arsenal’s hero of the season so far. Smashing in the goals left, right and centre, it’s a shame Ramsey operates in a slightly less-efficient Welsh side. The Arsenal star has improved beyond recognition this season and now boasts statistics to rival any midfielder in Europe. It would have been fascinating to see if Ramsey could replicate his stunning club form on the world stage in Brazil.

Playmaker: Christian Eriksen, Denmark and Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham’s £11m creative midfielder Eriksen, who has already accumulated 42 international caps at just 21-years-old, will sit out next summer’s tournament as Denmark failed to get out of Group B against the likes of Italy and the Czech Republic.

Left Winger: Arda Turan, Turkey and Atletico Madrid

Turan is one of Atletico Madrid’s prized assets and the most expensive Turkish footballer of all time, having made his move to Spain from Galatasaray in 2011. The 26-year-old is also a very influential member of the Turkey squad and his galloping runs on the left side are a treat to watch. However, Turkey under-performed in qualifying, falling to defeats against Hungary, Romania and the Netherlands.

Right Winger: Gareth Bale, Wales and Real Madrid

The world’s most expensive player will not be present in Brazil and it’s a huge disappointment not to witness arguably one of the biggest names of world football in the World Cup. Bale lit up the Premier League last season and slowly finding his form in Real Madrid and it would have been fascinating to see him take on the world in Brazil, however, like Ramsey, an average Welsh side failed to progress. Like Ryan Giggs and Ian Rush before him, the jewel in Wales’ crown may never play in a major international tournament.

Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden and Paris Saint Germain

One of the world’s finest footballers, Ibrahimovic proved on Tuesday night just how unlucky he is not to be going to Brazil. Scoring the two goals in the second-leg, the PSG forward must have been cursing his luck that his goals came up against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. The PSG star did his best in an epic playoff battle with Portugal before succumbing to the singular genius of Cristiano Ronaldo. Finishing second to a near-perfect German side in Group C, Ibrahimovic scored 8 of his side’s 21 goals in qualifying, setting up countless others.