The 20 best footballers never to play at a FIFA World Cup

Bad timing

Football's greatest tournament has witnessed countless legends grace its pitches, but some of the sport's most gifted talents never got their chance to shine on the world's biggest stage. From timing mishaps to international politics, here are 20 brilliant players who, for various reasons, never experienced a FIFA World Cup.

Erling Haaland (Norway)

The Manchester City goal machine has already broken numerous Premier League records and established himself as one of world football's most feared strikers. Despite his incredible scoring prowess, Norway's failure to qualify for major tournaments means Haaland has yet to showcase his talents on the World Cup stage, However, time remains on his side.

David Ginola (France)

The stylish winger's flair and pace made him a Premier League favourite at Newcastle and Tottenham, but his France career was overshadowed by controversy. Ginola's wayward cross led to Bulgaria's decisive goal that denied Les Bleus a place at USA '94. Manager Gerard Houllier branded him the "assassin of the team", words that haunted his international prospects.

Bernd Schuster (West Germany)

The 1980 European champion and Ballon d'Or winner was one of Germany's most gifted midfielders, combining technical brilliance with tactical intelligence. After missing the 1982 World Cup through injury, Schuster fell out with management and teammates, retiring from international football in 1984 and thus missing Germany's 1986 World Cup triumph.

Ian Rush (Wales)

Rush was one of the most clinical finishers of his generation, netting 339 goals in 654 appearances for Liverpool, according to Transfermarkt. His 28 goals in 73 Wales caps represented excellent personal form, but the Dragons' collective struggles throughout the 1980s and 1990s meant Rush never got the World Cup platform his talents deserved.

Abedi Pele (Ghana)

Three-time France Football African Footballer of the Year, Abedi Pele, was a magician with the ball who lit up European football with Marseille. The attacking midfielder's silky skills and vision made him one of Africa's greatest exports, yet Ghana never qualified for a World Cup during his 16-year international career.

Liam Brady (Republic of Ireland)

The Arsenal and Juventus playmaker (right) retired from international duty before Ireland's historic qualification for Italia '90, a decision that would haunt him forever. When Jack Charlton's side secured their World Cup place, Brady attempted a comeback, but the manager refused to select anyone who hadn't contributed to the qualifying campaign.

Georgi Kinkladze (Georgia)

Valentino Mazzola (Italy)

Regarded by many as Italy's greatest ever footballer, Mazzola was the captain and creative heartbeat of the legendary Grande Torino side. His life was tragically cut short at just 30 in the 1949 Superga air disaster that killed the entire team. Had fate been kinder, Mazzola would likely have captained Italy to glory at the 1950 World Cup.

George Best (Northern Ireland)

Arguably Britain's finest ever footballer, the Manchester United wing wizard possessed magical feet and an eye for the spectacular that made him a global superstar. However, Best's timing was cruel. Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup in 1958, six years before his debut, and again in 1982, five years after his international retirement.

Andrew Cole (England)

One of the Premier League's deadliest marksmen, Cole's 187 top-flight goals (per Transfermarkt) made him a legend at Newcastle and Manchester United. However, his international career told a different story - just one goal in 15 appearances meant he never featured in England's World Cup plans during an era when the Three Lions boasted attacking riches.

Laszlo Kubala (Spain)

The Hungarian-born Barcelona legend (right) was a four-time La Liga winner whose goalscoring prowess made him a Camp Nou icon. Despite representing three different countries during his career due to changing allegiances rules, Kubala's World Cup dreams were crushed by injury. He travelled to the 1962 tournament with Spain, but was unable to play a single minute.

Eric Cantona (France)

'King Eric' transformed English football with his swagger and skill, becoming the Premier League's first foreign superstar. Euro '92 proved to be his only major tournament for his country, as France failed to qualify for the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. By the time they hosted in 1998, Cantona was persona non grata following his infamous kung-fu kick incident.

Ryan Giggs (Wales)

Manchester United's most decorated player with 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League triumphs, Giggs spent 24 years terrorising defences with his pace and trickery. Despite earning over 60 Wales caps and serving as their talisman for more than a decade, the Dragons only came close to World Cup qualification once during his international career, in 1994.

Bruce Grobbelaar (Zimbabwe)

Liverpool's legendary goalkeeper brought his unique brand of showmanship to Anfield, winning six league titles and the European Cup in 1984. The South African-born keeper represented Zimbabwe throughout his career, coming agonisingly close to qualifying for the 1994 World Cup when they finished just two points behind Morocco in their group.

George Weah (Liberia)

The first African to win both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 1995, Weah was a complete forward who combined pace, power and clinical finishing. However, despite his individual brilliance for AC Milan and other top clubs, Liberia fell just one point short of qualifying for the World Cup in 2002.

Paolo Di Canio (Italy)

Rather remarkably, the maverick striker never earned a senior international cap during his career. Despite his sublime technical ability and memorable Premier League moments, Di Canio couldn't break into an Italy squad that boasted Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti during the 1990s and 2000s.

Neville Southall (Wales)

Widely considered one of the finest goalkeepers ever to come from the British Isles, Southall was the backbone of Everton's successful 1980s side and won the Football Writers' Player of the Year award in 1985. His 92 Wales caps (per Transfermarkt) represent unwavering loyalty to a national team that consistently missed out on major tournaments during his era.