There could be some high-profile players missing from the World Cup later this year with three spots remaining for the European nations.
With the tournament set to go ahead this November and December, 10 countries have already booked their planes to the Middle East while 11 remain to fight it out. North Macedonia shocked Italy to knock the European champions out with a last-minute winner meaning the Azzurri will not play at a second World Cup in a row while Gareth Bale led Wales to victory in sensational fashion against Austria.
Russia have been disqualified from the competition as a result of their invasion of Ukraine, meaning Poland have been given a bye in their play-off match. While Ukraine have had their semi-final against Scotland postponed until June, meaning both countries will have a lengthy wait before knowing their fate.
With the remaining 11 European countries split into three groups, only one can emerge and go on to play in the World Cup this year. For the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, Bale and more - this is last chance saloon.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The man that is built for the big occasions might have to do it all again in what could likely be his swansong international tournament. The 37-year-old was in tears after missing out on automatic qualification after losing in injury-time to Serbia.
A World Cup without Portugal is borderline unimaginable with their star-studded cast where Ronaldo is joined by the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota.
But Portugal’s path to Qatar is arguably the most difficult as they must face Turkey and then one of Italy or North Macedonia. It means that either the Selecao or the Azzurri will not have their anthems sung out in Doha this winter.
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Robert Lewandowski
While Portugal might have the most difficult schedule, Poland are on the opposite end after receiving a bye to the final of their group. Lewandowski was named the Best FIFA Men’s Player of 2021 and will be hoping to fire his nation to the World Cup - much like he did in 2018.
Either Czech Republic or Sweden will meet the Bayern Munich striker in the final in what promises to be a tantalising tie. The 33-year-old scored eight of Poland’s 30 goals in qualifying, meaning that they are not as reliant on the forward as they have been in recent years.
Gareth Bale
The Welshman almost exclusively plays for his country now after being left ostracised at Real Madrid - but that seems to be how he likes it anyway. There was a huge sigh of relief when the forward stepped off the team bus and took part in training this week.
Bale has already written himself as a Welsh hero after his two-goal display against Austria to set up a potential home nation showdown against Scotland, who face Ukraine in June. His outageous free-kick set Wales up on their way to victory as he looks to take the country to their first World Cup since 1958.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic will turn 41 before the start of the World Cup - which would make him the second-oldest outfield player after Roger Milla. And after Sweden's victory against Czech Republic, it sets up a tasty finale against another of the world's best strikers.
After an extra-time winner from Robin Quiason, Sweden will take on Poland - who have their own talismanic forward in Lewandowski up front. Ibrahimovic missed the match against Czech Republic through suspension but he looks set to return for the final.
