Haaland, Salah, Aubameyang, and Zlatan are all set to miss the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
The World Cup is an international display of the world's top footballers, and Qatar 2022 is expected to be a unique challenge for everybody concerned.
The spectacle of a winter tournament has sparked widespread interest, with the demands it places on European domestic seasons sparking debate after FIFA refused to move the competition to the Middle East.
Despite the focus on the countries and stars on display in Qatar, several big names will be left out after failing to clinch a spot with their national teams.
Eric Cantona, George Weah, Ryan Giggs, George Best, and Alfredo Di Stefano are just a few of the legendary names that have never played in a World Cup, and 2022 will add to that list.
Haaland, Erling (Norway)
Haaland's goal-scoring prowess has made him one of Europe's most sought-after players, with a bidding war for his signature expected to erupt this summer. Despite scoring five goals in qualifying, Norway was beaten by Turkey in UEFA Group G, finishing second behind the Netherlands.
Mohamed Sala (Egypt)
Senegal defeated Egypt on penalties in the AFCON 2022 final, and the two met again just a month later in the CAF World Cup qualifying final round, with a home and away two-legged match to determine a place in the World Cup. It led to another penalty shootout after a pair of 1-0 wins for each home team tied the two nations on aggregate. Salah of Liverpool missed a penalty in the shootout, which was marred by Senegalese fans pelting Egypt's players with laser pointers.
Zlatan Ibrahimovich (Sweden)
The great striker had considered retiring from international football for a while, but he made himself available for selection as Sweden battled their way through the UEFA qualification playoffs. The Blagult lost 2-0 to Poland in the Path B playoff final, leaving Zlatan at home for the Qatar finals. Ibrahimovic didn't start the final against Poland, and was only brought on for the final ten minutes after the squad had already conceded two goals.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)
Following his high-profile leave from Arsenal, Aubameyang made headlines in 2022 when he joined Barcelona on a free transfer. Despite scoring two crucial goals in qualifying, Gabon was beaten by Egypt's Mo Salah in the race for a CAF play-off spot.
Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast)
As his contract with Stefano Pioli's team expires at the end of the season, AC Milan midfielder Kessie appears set for a vital few months at the San Siro. Regardless of where he plays next, he will miss the World Cup as Ivory Coast lost their final group game against Cameroon, allowing the Indomitable Lions to advance in their stead.
Martin Odegaard(Norway)
After making a permanent move to North London at the start of 2021/22, Odegaard has established himself as a crucial component in Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team. Despite taking over as captain of Norway in 2021, he was unable to motivate Stle Solbakken's team, and the former Real Madrid player will be watching the World Cup at home.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
Nigeria lost to Ghana on away goals in the final round of African World Cup qualifying, meaning the Super Eagles would miss the World Cup for the first time in four years and only the second time in the last eight. Victor Osimhen, a 23-year-old striker for Napoli, failed to score in either the home or away leg, preventing his club from reaching the finals in Qatar.
Edin Dzeko (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Dzeko is having a seemingly endless Indian summer in Serie A as he attempts to fill the vacuum left by Romleu Lukaku at Inter Milan this season. Bosnia's prospects of qualifying for the World Cup were damaged by a difficult group stage draw that included France and Ukraine, and their captain, the record goal scorer and top appearance maker, may retire from international football before Euro 2024.
Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast)
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is another Ivorian who will miss out on the 2022 World Cup after Patrice Beaumelle's side failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups between 2006 and 2014.
Miguel Almiron (Paraguay)
With Paraguay's qualification fate officially set in CONEMBOL, Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron will miss the 2022 World Cup. Despite the fact that the South American region will still play two qualifiers in 2022, Almiron and Paraguay will only be competing for pride against Ecuador.
Naby Keita (Guinea)
Salah and Sadio Mane are poised to participate in a Liverpool-themed World Cup play-off in March, in a rematch of the AFCON final, but Keita's World Cup ambition has already been dashed when Guinea failed to win a game in the second round of qualifiers.
Martinez, Josef (Venezuela)
Martinez, Almiron's old Atalanta United teammate, was unable to motivate Venezuela, scoring just one goal in CONEMBOL qualifying, while José Pékerman's side presently sits at the bottom of the rankings.
Haller, Sebastien (Ivory Coast)
Despite his two goals in Ivory Coast's 2-1 win over Cameroon in September, Haller joins Zaha and Kessie in missing out on the 2022 World Cup.
Alaba, David (Austria)
After a 2-1 loss to a Gareth Bale-inspired Wales in the playoffs, Real Madrid's Alaba will not be attending the World Cup.
Patrick Schick (Czech Republic)
Schick made an impression for the Czech Republic at Euro 2020, but the Bayer Leverkusen attacker will have to wait for his next chance to shine at a big tournament after his country was defeated 1-0 in extra time by Sweden.
Verratti, Marco (Italy)
Despite being one of the most notable midfielders in the world, Verratti has only played in one World Cup, that of 2014. Italy did not qualify in 2018 and will not qualify in Qatar after a stunning defeat to North Macedonia.
Under Cengiz (Turkey)
Under is a gifted player who has shined while on loan to Marseille from Roma this season. Because his Turkey team was defeated 3-1 by Portugal in the playoffs, he will not be playing in Qatar.
Federico Chiesa (Italy)
Chiesa was an important part of Italy's Euro 2020 victory, but he was unable to play in the playoff versus North Macedonia due to a bad injury. Chiesa is expected to return from injury in August, so if Italy had qualified, there was a potential he may have played in the World Cup.
Soucek, Tomas (Czech Republic)
Soucek has been a big part of West Ham's recent success, but he won't be playing in Qatar. .