As the days pass by, we are rapidly approaching the November 13th deadline for the final 26-man rosters being announced for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Managers of these nations will have had time in the previous international break to help make their minds up on certain players, while players will have been trying to force their names onto the team sheet.
While a manager may have his squad already in mind, injury can throw a spanner in the works and force a rethink on call-ups, systems and playing styles. In turn this can affect World Cup betting 2022 and alter who pundits believe are the favourites for the tournament overall.
Here are some of the players who will be missing this big football even through injury.
Kalvin Phillips
Crucial to England progression to the runners-up in the 2020 European Championships, Phillips has struggled with injury this year. A shoulder injury in a friendly against Barcelona pre-season has forced him to miss the whole of the 2022/23 season so far.
Reece James
A knee injury has ruled out the Chelsea star who was considered to be the starting right back in Gareth Southgate’s plans. For a while now, England’s wealth of talent in that position has been thoroughly reported, but James appeared to have risen to the top of the pecking order. Southgate also needs to wait on confirmation Kyle Walker will be fit, while Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely return to the England set up.
N’Golo Kante
Having undergone surgery on a hamstring injury, Kante is set to miss four months of football, leaving him unavailable for the France squad for the World Cup. A tenacious and composed player, he will be a huge miss in a national team fractured by off-field chaos and speculation.
Georginio Wijnaldum
His move to Paris Saint-Germain has not been a huge success so far and injury now keeps him out until the spring of 2023. Though he hasn’t settled fully in Paris, he continues to be a valuable player for the Netherlands who seem a little light in the central midfield department.
Diogo Jota
As Fernando Santos has looked to start moving on from Cristiano Ronaldo, one of his key forwards will now be missing for the tournament. Jota suffered an injury in the 1-0 victory for Liverpool over Manchester City but will not require surgery, he will return in the new year while Portugal will lean more on João Felix as centre forward depending on Ronaldo’s fitness.
Ronald Araujo
The defender for Uruguay and Barcelona will miss the tournament after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury. He has been vital in the Uruguay defence that has a number of ageing stars at the back. He has often been used at right back due to lack of depth in that position and will be a huge loss to the south American side.
Players will now spend the final weeks of their seasons before the World Cup hoping to remain injury free in order to take their place o the world’s stage, representing their countries at the biggest tournament in the world.