The 2022 World Cup is now two weeks away with the cut-off date for squad announcements being November 13.
A number of big-name players have already been ruled out of the tournament, namely French duo N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, Portugal’s Diogo Jota through injury and David de Gea through non-selection in Spain’s provisional 55-man squad. Jadon Sancho’s dubious form means he has next to no chance at making Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Several others are at risk of missing out due to injuries picked up in this overly condensed season or just as a result of intense competition for spots. With such a short window between the club season pause point and the opening game, there’s so little time for players to recover, something Jamie Carragher labelled “disgraceful.”
With this in mind, we have decided to take a look at the 15 biggest names at risk of missing the 2022 World Cup.
15. Timo Werner
Werner is the latest player to be potentially at risk of missing out having limped off in RB Leipzig’s 4-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night. The German international has been in great form since returning to his former club on loan, and would be sure to feature in Qatar.
14. Ronald Araujo
The Uruguayan defender has not played since coming after five minutes in his country’s friendly with Iran in September. He has since had successful thigh surgery but seems unlikely to feature for Barcelona before the World Cup.
13. Giovani Lo Celso
Lo Celso might not have been a success at Spurs but he is a regular with Argentina. He was forced off with a hamstring injury for Villarreal last weekend and is now considered a major doubt for the World Cup.
12. Roberto Firmino
Firmino has rediscovered some of his best form this season with Liverpool but faces a serious task at forcing his way into the Brazil squad, despite featuring in their last squad. Competition up front is just so strong for the Seleção.
11. Paulo Dybala
The Argentinian forward looked certain to be in the squad before he suffered a quad injury scoring a penalty for Roma vs Lecce on October 9. At the time, the recovery period was said to be four to eight weeks, which leaves things extremely tight.
Read more: Paulo Dybala suffers freak injury while taking Roma penalty – could miss 2022 World Cup
10. Kalvin Phillips
England’s Men’s Player of the Year for 2020-2021 and a key man for Gareth Southgate, Phillips has barely featured for Manchester City following his move from Leeds in the summer due to a shoulder injury. Pep Guardiola has said he will be fit but with such limited game-time, it is a substantial risk to take.
9. Kyle Walker
Another Citizen, another Southgate stalwart and another player Guardiola has suggested will be fit for the World Cup. Walker hasn’t played since the Manchester derby last week with an abdominal issue, and time is running out.
8. Reece James
If Walker is 50/50, James is probably 20/80 having not played due to a knee injury suffered against AC Milan last month. Chelsea have sent him to Dubai in a bid to speed up his recovery. If he’s anyway fit, he might just make the 26-man squad such is his importance.
7. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent’s selection is likely determined by Walker and James’ recovery or lack thereof. The Liverpool right-back has been in poor form all season and has never been a favourite of Gareth Southgate. He faces an anxious wait.
6. Richarlison
The Brazilian forward is a potential starter if fit but he has not played since injuring his calf against former club Everton on October 15. He gave a tearful interview after but Spurs gaffer Antonio Conte expects him to just make it back.
5. Gabriel Martinelli
Another Brazilian who might miss out but due to competition and coach Tite’s preferences. Martinelli has been in scintillating form for Arsenal this season, and it would be unbelievably harsh for him to not make the plane to Qatar.
4. Angel Di Maria
The Argentinian legend suffered a hamstring injury in Juventus’ Champions League loss to Maccabi Haifa in early October and has not played since. Like some of the other players on this list, he will go if anywhere near full fitness.
3. Sergio Ramos
Ramos won the last of his Spanish and European record 180 caps in March 2021 before injury ruled the then-skipper out of the European Championships. He is hopeful of making the World Cup having bounced back to his best form with PSG this season.
2. Raphael Varane
Varane left Stamford Bridge in tears after injuring his hamstring in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, fearing his World Cup dreams were over. The prognosis was not as bad as first feared, but Varane is still fighting to make the French squad.
1. Son Heung-min
The South Korean captain’s eye injury during Spurs’ 2-1 win over Marseille is what sparked Carragher’s outrage on the timing of this World Cup. It’s now been confirmed he has suffered a fracture and requires surgery. The South Korean FA have said the outcome of this will decide his involvement. One would think even if he lost an eye, he would be leading his country’s charge this winter. Fingers crossed.
Read more: World Cup 2022: Dates, Schedule, UK Kick Off Times, Stadiums, Groups, Tickets, Odds and Much More
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