The World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world due to football’s global popularity.
Billions tune in to watch the best players represent their countries for the most glamorous trophy in the game.
However, qualifying for the tournament is not an easy task and some big hitters have not made it to Qatar.
Italy
Photo: Maurizio Borsari/AFLO/Shutterstock
It is incredible to think that a team of Italy’s quality will not be at the World Cup.
Their pedigree in the tournament as four-time winners speaks for itself and they are the current European champions, beating England on penalties at Wembley in July last year.
This will be the second World Cup in a row that Italy failed to reach after they lost to North Macedonia in their play-off semi-final back in March.
Manager Roberto Mancini is committed to attacking football which made them so good to watch at the Euros and a World Cup is always better with their presence.
Colombia
Photo: Ricardo Maldonado Rozo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Another familiar foe of England’s has failed to make the final 32 teams.
At the 2018 World Cup, Colombia endeared themselves to English football fans in their last 16 match with their embarrassing antics of headbutting and scuffing up the penalty spot.
Nigeria
Photo: Sunday Alamba/AP/Shutterstock
No African team has ever made a semi-final despite the continent’s proud footballing tradition and Nigeria are one of the strongest teams.
They have qualified for six of the last eight World Cups, only missing 2006 and 2022. That is a good level of consistency from what is always a difficult route to qualification.
Unfortunately, fierce rivals Ghana knocked them out on away goals in a two-legged tie.
Their fans are very passionate to say the least but their anger at not qualifying resulted in them storming the pitch at full time and reportedly throwing objects at Ghanaian supporters and players.
Josh Smith 
Caitlin Hamill