1. Victor Wanyama

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The Kenyan captain will miss this year’s showdown after his Harambee Stars failed to qualify for the Russia event. 

Wanyama plies his trade in England with London-based Tottenham Hotspurs and will have to watch his teammates battle it out in football’s biggest event. 

2. Alexis Sanchez

The Manchester United forward will not feature in Russia, following the shock failure of Chile to qualify for Russia 2018. 

3. Gareth Bale

Fresh from winning the Champions League, where he scored two stunning goals, the Welsh will have to watch from home as his team failed to qualify. 

4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The enigmatic Swede, 36, who plays for LA Galaxy ultimately decided not to come out of international retirement.

5. Gianluigi Buffon

The 40-year-old goalkeeper was hanging on with Juventus and Italy in the hope of having a World Cup stage on which to bow out, but the Azzurri's shock play-off defeat to Sweden has denied him that opportunity.

6. Alvaro MorataThe Chelsea striker found life hard in London, and lack of games has cost him the chance to play for his country in Russia. 

7. Cesc Fabregas

Just like Morata, the midfielder found himself out of the team, which has an array of midfielders playing at home and Europe as well. 

8. Karim Benzema

The Real Madrid star was once again overlooked for international duty, having been exiled from the France squad since November 2015.

9. Alexander Lacazzette

Like fellow countryman Benzema, the Arsenal striker has seen struggles at the club level and will have to watch the likes of Olivier Giroud play in Russia. 

10. Dani Alves

At 35 years of age, the buccaneering full-back is unlikely to grace the World Cup finals again – with the Paris Saint-Germain star having suffered knee ligament damage early in May.