Throughout history, top players in high ranking have been marginalised when it comes to international tournaments. Take, for example, Ryan Giggs for Wales or George Weah for Liberia.
Even in the list below, they are not the only football stars who will be watching the World Cup on TV due to missing out with their national teams.
There are plenty of examples including: Jan Oblak for Slovenia, Antonio Valencia for Ecuador, Arjen Robben who retired from the Netherlands after they failed to qualify, Arda Turan for Turkey and Naby Keita for Guinea.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
Italy were left without a ticket to Russia after coming second to Spain in the group qualifiers and losing out in the play-offs against Sweden, leaving 'Gigi' without his last ever World Cup.
Defender: Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)
In a similar case to his Juventus team-mate Buffon, the 33-year-old is unlikely to be called up for his country in Quatar in 2022.
Defender: Virgil Van Dijk (The Netherlands)
Holland are one of the most notable absences from the World Cup, after finishing third in their qualifying group behind France and Sweden.
Defender: David Alaba (Austria)
Austria failed to qualify after finishing fourth in their group, overtaken by Serbia, Republic of Ireland and Wales.
Midfielder: Miralem Pjanic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Bosnia were within two points of securing their spot, but finished third after Belgium and Greece.
Midfielder: Marek Hamzik (Slovakia)
Slovakia were runners-up in the group behind England, but their lower score compared to other runners-up cost them a trip to Russia.
Midfielder: Cristian Pulisic (United States)
The US were another disappointment. The Americans failed to reach the final round of the CONCACAF by finishing fifth.
Right-wing: Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
Chile have won two consecutive Copa Americas but never a World Cup. The Chileans finished fifth in the South American Qualifiers.
Left-wing: Gareth Bale (Wales)
Bale's absence due to injury during the qualifying stages hampered Wales' chances, who finished third in their group.
Forward: Edin Dzeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
As with Pjanic, Bosnia were within touching distance of qualifying but missed out by just two points.
Forward: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)
Gabon could not progress from third place in their group, instead watching Burkina Faso and Cameroon go to the next round.