The Best Soccer Players To Never Play In The World Cup
Who is the best soccer player never to play in the World Cup? The World Cup has missed out on some great footballers since its inception in 1930. There have been many soccer legends who failed to make it into the world's greatest competition. Some of these soccer players never made a World Cup because of the countries they have played for, but others were just plain unlucky. So, who is the best soccer player to never make a World Cup? Which soccer greats deserved a shot on the world's biggest stage?
Many would consider Northern Ireland soccer legend George Best to be the greatest player to never play at the World Cup, but a combination of age (36) and his country's hopes kept the 1968 Ballon d'Or winner out of the Norn Iron's World Cup side in 1982. Then, there's George Weah, who also won a Ballon d'Or (1995), but played internationally for Liberia which never qualified. Other football stars, such as Alfredo Di Stefano, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, and Adebi Pele never got a shot at the World Cup either, robbing fans of these great players at the FIFA World Cup.
Vote up the best soccer players to never make a World Cup. Then, check back as more soccer greats get added to the list should World Cup 2022 qualifying end the hopes of more of football's aging stars.
- 1Forward
- Nationality: Colombia, Argentina, Spain
Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé (4 July 1926 – 7 July 2014) was an Argentine-Spanish professional footballer and coach. He is regarded as one of the best footballers of all time, and is best known ...more - 2Midfielder
- Nationality: Northern Ireland
George Best (22 May 1946 – 25 November 2005) was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a winger, spending most of his club career at Manchester United. Named European Footballer of ...more - 3Forward
- Nationality: Liberia
George Manneh Oppong Weah (; born 1 October 1966) is a Liberian politician and former professional footballer currently serving as the 25th President of Liberia, in office since 2018. Prior to his ...more - 4Forward, Midfielder
- Nationality: France
Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona (French pronunciation: [eʁik kɑ̃tona]; born 24 May 1966) is a French actor and former professional footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, ...more - 5Forward
- Nationality: Wales
Ian James Rush, (born 20 October 1961) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a forward. At club level Rush played for Liverpool from 1980–1987 and 1988–1996. He is the club's ...more - 6Forward, Midfielder
- Nationality: Wales
Ryan Joseph Giggs (born Wilson; born 29 November 1973) is a Welsh football coach and former player. He is the manager of the Wales national team and a co-owner of Salford City. He played his entire ...more
