Combined XI of players who didn't qualify FIFA World Cup

Forwards

Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

Sanchez has probably had his worst year in his football career

Alexis Sanchez has had a season that he would like to forget in a hurry. Alexis was keen on moving to Manchester City in the summer of 2017, but the transfer was denied by Arsenal who believed they would rather let him move on free the following year.

Having won the previous two Copa Americas by beating Argentina in penalty shootouts in 2015 and 2016, Chile shocked the world by stunningly missing out on World Cup qualification after losing the CONMEBOL play-off spot to Peru. It's a massive blow for the golden generation of Chile football, as most of them like Alexis himself are in the prime phases of their career.

Sanchez had his wishes granted in January, as he moved away from Arsenal but to Manchester City's rivals- Manchester United. However, things have not been so smooth for the 29-year old as he has struggled to impose himself at Old Trafford.

His arrival has also kept talented youngsters Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford out of the eleven, and his problems only continue to infuriate the United fans.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang may never get the opportunity to represent his nation in the World Cup

This is the case of a huge player hailing from a small non-traditional footballing country. Although Gabon have made seven of the last 11 African Nations even reaching the quarters as recently as 2012, they’ve never made a World Cup and this year wasn't going to be any different as they finished third in their group behind African giants Morocco and Ivory Coast.

Aubameyang remains one of the best strikers in the game currently and his performances with Borussia Dortmund brought him a move to Arsenal earlier this season. Should he have stuck with France, his country of birth and the nation for which he made his debut at the Under-21 level?

Other Forwards missing out: Edin Dzeko (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Ciro Immobile (Italy)