The five greatest players to have never played in the World Cup

George Best

Northern Ireland’s George Best

Another Manchester United legend who never got the opportunity to play in the World Cup was George Best. Whilst Best was a magician with the ball at his feet, he could do no such magic to drag Northern Ireland to the World Cup. Often considered one of the greatest British footballers ever, he was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Best represented Northern Ireland 37 appearances and scoring nine goals between 1964 and 1977, a period in which they never managed to qualify for the World Cup. However, right at the end of his career, when the side did qualify for the 1982 World Cup, manager Billy Bingham overlooked Best,. As a result, Best never got his shot at the World Cup.