7 Big Names Missing From The 2022 World Cup

The FIFA World Cup kicked off on Sunday in Qatar with the host playing in the finals for the first time in history. Many players are looking to put in strong performances for the nations and guide them closer to victories. The biggest disappointment is some big-name players like Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema who are set to watch the tournament on their television screens. Let’s take a look at some big names missing from the 2022 World Cup.

Paul Pogba

Pogba injured his knee in pre-season and underwent surgery in September to repair a damaged meniscus. Despite resuming training with Juventus, the 29-year-old midfielder isn’t part of France’s side that is in Qatar. The former Manchester United star played an instrumental role in Le Blues World Cup triumph in the last edition in Russia. 

Timo Werner

The RB Leipzig forward, 26, sustained an ankle injury during their 4-0 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk at the start of November and will be sidelined for the rest of 2022. Werner will be a big miss for the German side as they are seeking the second world title in eight years. 

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema is one of the biggest stars set to miss the prestigious world showpiece in Qatar. The 34-year-old Frenchman striker suffered a thigh injury while his side was training. Benzema had a great year winning La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid and going on to clinch a well deserved Ballon O’dr. Benzema was looking to contribute to the national team after not being selected in the last edition where they won a title in Russia. 

Sadio Mane

Senegal’s star forwards Sadio Mane was already in Qatar but had to be withdrawn on Friday after failing to recover on time. Mane suffered a leg injury while playing for his club Bayern Munich earlier this month. The news gives the Senegalese fans a sad reality as their hopes for the success of the Teranga Tigers lay on Mane’s shoulders.

Marco Reus

Marcus Reus has had a bad history when it comes to World Cup. The 33-year-old Borussia Dortmund star missed the 2014 edition due to injury. He played in the 2018 edition in Russia when his nation crashed out of Group stages. In what was set to be his last world showpiece, Reus suffered an injury on his ankle and was ruled out yet again.

Diogo Jota

Portugal will have to fancy their chances of winning the World Cup without one of their frontmen Diogo Jota. Liverpool forward Jota will miss the World Cup due to a serious calf injury. In October, the Portuguese international was taken off on a stretcher in the closing stages of his side’s win over Manchester City at Anfield.

N’Golo Kante

France coach Didier Deschamps will have a headache missing N’Golo Kante in his midfield when the team seeks to defend the title they won four years ago in Russia. The ever-hard-working midfield suffered a serious hamstring injury last month, which has ruled him out of the trip to Qatar. It’s sad for the Chelsea star as he is 33 years old and when the next edition comes up he might not be part of it. 

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