2022 World Cup draw: Nigeria, six other big countries miss out

 


Ahead of Friday’s draw for the 2022 World Cup, 29 out of the 32 countries that will play at the tournament have been confirmed.

 

However, at least six big teams will not be in Qatar, after fumbling during the qualifying series.

 

They include:

 

1. Nigeria: The Super Eagles missed out on the away goal rule, after they could only draw 1-1 with West African rivals, Ghana on home turf. The first leg of the playoff ended goalless in Kumasi. It is the first time since 2006 Nigeria will not be at the World Cup.

 

2. Italy: The Azzurris are the current champions of Europe, but will not be champions of the world this year. Roberto Mancini’s men were shocked by North Macedonia in the playoffs. They have now failed to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup.

 

3. Sweden: The Scandinavian nation lost its play-off final match against Poland and have failed to make a second successive World Cup appearance after a quarter-final finish in Russia in 2018.

 

4. Algeria: The Desert Foxes, who won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, also lost out to Cameroon on away goal rule. The North Africans have now failed to qualify for a second successive World Cup.

 

5.Egypt: It was a double blow for Egypt in the space of two months. After losing the AFCON final to Senegal in a penalty shootout last month, the Pharaohs suffered a similar fate against the same opponent in the third round qualifiers.

 

6. Colombia: After a quarter-final exit and round-of-16 finish in the previous two World Cups, Colombia has failed to make a third successive World Cup appearance.

 

7. Chile: It is now a second successive World Cup where Chile has failed to make the cut. Chile’s most-capped player and top-scorer Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal will be among the notable absentees.

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