It is hard to think of a World Cup taking place without a high-profile absentee, but the sight of a player missing out with a late injury remains painful.
France's victory in 2018 came without Laurent Koscielny, who suffered an Achilles injury in the lead-up to the tournament, while compatriot Dimitri Payet also missed the tournament after limping out of the Europa League final. Mohamed Salah had also been in danger of sitting out the tournament in Russia after his injury in that year's Champions League final but recovered just in time.
Most of the stars-in-waiting for Qatar 2022 have more games to navigate at club level before heading out to the middle-east, but some have already suffered setbacks that will keep them out of the tournament. Here, Mirror Football takes a closer look at those who won't be involved in November and December showpiece.
Paulo Dybala
Argentina forward Paulo Dybala started the 2022-23 season in frightening form after leaving Juventus for Roma. The former Palermo frontman, who managed just 22 minutes at the 2018 World Cup, scored seven goals in his first 11 games for the Giallorossi, only to be dealt a painful blow.
The 28-year-old, who celebrates his birthday just days before the World Cup, suffered a freak injury while playing for Roma against Lecce. He pulled up after converting a penalty, and club manager Jose Mourinho explained his concern.
"I'll say it's not looking good, rather than say it's looking bad," Mourinho said. "Unfortunately, it’s probably looking closer to bad than it is to not good.
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"I am not a doctor and I have not talked with the doctor but, from experience and from what I've understood from speaking with Paulo, it's difficult [to see him again before the end of the year]."
Gini Wijnaldum
Dybala's injury meant things went from bad to worse for Roma, who had already lost another of their summer signings. Former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum joined on loan from Paris Saint-Germain but managed just one appearance since suffering a long-term injury in training.
"Following an injury sustained during training this afternoon, Georginio Wijnaldum subsequently underwent medical tests that confirmed the presence of a fracture to the tibia in his right leg," a Roma statement read after the incident. "The player will undergo further assessments in the coming days. FORZA GINI!"
Wijnaldum and his Netherlands team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but he would have expected to be in the mix for a starting spot after his involvement at Euro 2020. It looks like it's not to be, though - while the 31-year-old has pledged to return as soon as he can, the World Cup may come too soon for him.
"Since my injury, I didn't respond or send a video out simply because I was really emotional and sad about the situation around my injury," the midfielder said. "First of all I want to say sorry, second I can say that now I'm in a really good space with my rehab programme. I accept the situation as it is and that is why I can now give 100 per cent in my rehab.
Kyle Walker
England have had plenty of right-backs to choose from recently, but the Euro 2020 finalists have been dealt a series of blows. And, while Trent Alexander-Arnold has recovered from a setback of his own, Manchester City's Kyle Walker faces a race against time.
The former Tottenham Hotspur star has gone in for surgery on the groin injury he suffered in the Manchester derby at the start of October. As players we have to appreciate injuries are part and parcel of the game we love," the defender wrote on Twitter.
"My operation on Tuesday was a success and now I can concentrate on my rehab and getting back to full fitness. I will be supporting my teammates every day in any way I can. Once again thank you for all your kind messages."
Reece James
As well as Walker, fellow defender Reece James faces a race against time for the tournament. The Chelsea man was forced off during the Blues' Champions League win against AC Milan and faces a number of weeks on the sidelines.
"Following the knee injury sustained in our away match against AC Milan, Reece has received treatment from the Chelsea medical department and visited a specialist this weekend," a statement from the London club read. "After consultation between all parties, Reece will now undergo a rehabilitation programme and is expected to be out for eight weeks."
Unless James recovers ahead of schedule, that timeframe would keep him out until December. With England playing all three of their group games before the end of November, it looks hard to see James making it.
Paul Pogba
After an injury-hit final season with Manchester United, Paul Pogba had hoped to turn over a new leaf. However, after suffering a setback in pre-season, he is still yet to make his second competitive debut for Juventus.
The French midfielder starred at the 2018 tournament as Didier Deschamps' side won it all. However, he has not featured since limping out of a training session during Juve's training camp in the United States in July.
"The number one condition is that he has recovered from his injury," Deschamps said in September when asked about Pogba's involvement in Qatar. "I have never taken a player to a tournament if he has not fully recovered.
"I don't have the answers today but I would never take a player - whoever that might be - if there is a chance he is not fit for the first match. He will not come if he is not ready. It would be useless coming just for the sake of it. Even he doesn't want that.
Angel Di Maria
Pogba isn't the only Juve player looking to recover in time for the tournament. Di Maria, who also joined the Bianconeri over the summer, has at least got minutes under his belt, even if his current status is more concerning.
The Argentina star made an impact in 2018, scoring one of the goals of the tournament as his country lost to France in the last 16. However, he left the field just 24 minutes into Juventus' Champions League defeat against Maccabi Haifa and is expected to be out for around three weeks, meaning match fitness could be the bigger concern.
"With what happened to Dybala and Di Maria, the truth is that personally you worry and you’re more afraid when you see those sorts of things," teammate Lionel Messi said after the news. "I hope Di Maria and Dybala recover in time. They have enough time to do so and reach the tournament in good shape."
N'Golo Kante
France are in danger of having none of the midfield stars who led them to glory in 2018. Blaise Matuidi hasn't featured for the national team since 2019, while N'Golo Kante has followed Paul Pogba in struggling with injuries.
The former Leicester City man has 53 caps for Les Bleus, but fitness problems plagued his last full season at Chelsea. Kante has played just twice this season, and a setback in training has ended his World Cup dream.
"N'Golo Kante has undergone an operation on his hamstring injury," a club statement read. "The midfielder visited a specialist with the club’s medical department to explore the options for his rehabilitation approach and it was mutually agreed for N'Golo to have surgery to repair the damage."
Diogo Jota
Liverpool have lost two key men to injury over the last few weeks. However, while Luis Diaz's Colombia missed out on World Cup qualification, the blow to Diogo Jota has clearer international repercussions.
"Not good news, about Diogo, he will miss the World Cup, pretty serious injury in the calf muscle," Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said after the Portugal star was injured against Manchester City. "The process starts from now.
"He's surprisingly OK so far, he's a smart boy, very reflective, and I think he knew already when we carried him off the pitch."
Jota himself scored four goals in qualifying to help Portugal reach the play-offs, and netted again as his country beat Turkey en route to booking their place in Qatar. "After such a good night at Anfield mine ended in the worst way! In the last minute one of my dreams collapsed," he said after learning he would not be able to join Fernando Santos' squad.
