Ten star players at risk of missing the 2018 World Cup
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The qualifying period for the 2018 World Cup in Russia is coming to end and there are some star players who are in serious danger of missing out on the prestigious tournament.
The World Cup is the biggest stage of football and you expect to see the biggest names of the game on show, but there could be some well-known players who won’t step foot on the pitch in Russia in the summer.
Here are some of the top players who are at risk of missing out on the tournament due to some pretty poor qualifying performances so far.
Lionel Messi
Arguably the best footballer in the world, Lionel Messi could be forced to watch the World Cup from his sofa as Argentina endure a torrid qualifying run.
Whilst it is mathematically possible that Argentina could lose their final game away to Ecuador and still make a playoff, it is likely that even a draw would mean Messi and co. miss the World Cup completely.
Cristiano Ronaldo
It’s not just Messi who could miss out on a trip to Russia, another Ballon d’Or winner is also in danger of missing the tournament.
Portugal host Switzerland tonight and if they win, they will advance to the World Cup. A defeat or a draw, however, will see them having to play in the play-offs to qualify.
Alexis Sanchez
Chile currently sit third in the South American qualifying table but they are still in very real danger of missing out. The top four sides in the CONMEBOL group advance to the World Cup, whilst the fifth plays a playoff with New Zealand.
In order to guarentee a place in the top five, Chile need to beat Brazil away from home – keep in mind that Brazil have never lost a World Cup qualifier at home. A draw should see them claim fifth place but a loss would open the door for others to leapfrog them, meaning Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez would miss out on a trip to Russia
Eric Bailly
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly could miss out on the World Cup as the Ivory Coast’s qualification rests on one final game.
They host the current group leaders Morocco at home and anything but a win will see Bailly and his teammates miss out on a trip to Russia.
Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic is one of the rising stars of the game and he’s the USA’s shining light. After a mixed qualification period. America still have their destiny in their own hands and a win away to Trinidad & Tobago will see them qualify. However, if the USA lose, the door opens for Panama and Honduras to leap-frog them and knock America out.
Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon is hoping to end his amazing international career by featuring at the World Cup but Italy could not overtake Spain for top-spot in Group G so they’ll need to win a play-off to advance.
Christian Eriksen
Denmark missed out on automatic qualification as they finished second in Group E behind Poland. If Christian Eriksen and co. want to be playing in Russia, they’ll need to win a play-off.
Luka Modric
The World Cup could possibly be without the best midfielder in the world. Let that sink in. Iceland won Group I which means that Croatia will need to win a playoff to advance.
James Rodríguez
James Rodríguez lit up the last World Cup for Colombia but his side travel to Peru knowing that a defeat could mean they miss out.
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez’s Uruguay should qualify for the World Cup but there are a set of circumstances that could see them enter a play-off sitll. If they lose to Bolivia and Argentina, Chile and Colombia win thier games, it’ll come down to goal difference for fourth and fifth place between Uruguay and Argentina.
As it stands, Uruguay have a nine goal advantage, which gives them a cushion but if they lose heavilly and Messi leads Argentina to a huge win, Uruguay will be in a play-off.
Unlikely, yes, but not impossible!